Elaine M. (Klein) Sabelko
Elaine M. (Klein) Sabelko, 89, Town of Lima, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2026 with her family at her side.
Elaine was born in Plum City on September 24, 1936, a daughter of the late Jake and Josephine (Dettling) Klein. She attended school in Plum City and later Elmwood, graduating from Elmwood High School in 1954. Elaine worked in nursing at Plum City Hospital for a few years before marrying Charles Sabelko, Jr. on April 12, 1958, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Plum City.
Elaine and her husband lived in the Durand area where they farmed and raised their family. In 1989, she and Charles retired from farming and moved to a home up the road from their farm, where she remained the rest of her life.
Elaine was an active member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, teaching Faith Formation for many years. She was active in PCCW and was a contact person for Holy Rosary’s prayer line. Elaine loved tending her home, gardening and mowing her lawn into her 80’s. Elaine loved hosting Christmas, cooking and baking, and delighted in being part of her grandkids’ lives. She attended many of her grandchildren’s sporting events and concerts. Her greatest love was for her family.
Elaine is survived by her 10 children; Lori (Joe) Danzinger of Mondovi, Lonnie (Karen) of Durand, Amy (Jodie) Winter of Durand, Ann (Todd) Prissel of Durand, Jill (Tony) Gruber of Meridean, Sarah (Randy) Peterson of Plum City, Paul (Jill) of Elmwood, Carl (Laura) of Eau Claire, Kris (Becky) of Eau Galle and Brad (Sarah) of Ella, 29 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, with three expected; a sister, Sister Blanche Klein; one brother-in-law; Ralph of Durand, her sisters-in-law; Bonnie Gilles of Plum City, Kathleen Kelly of Menomonie and Juliana (Herb) Tschumperlin of Plum City. Elaine is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband, Charles; her brothers, Don (Dorothy) Klein, Casper Gilles, infant brothers, Carl and Joseph Klein, as well as a grandson Gabe Sabelko.
The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Croix Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Elaine.
The visitation for Elaine will be Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 4-7 PM at Rhiel Funeral Home, Durand. Visitation continues Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 10-11:30 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church-Lima. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM with Fr. Emmanuel Asamoah-Bekoe officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Rhiel Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, please visit RhielFuneralHome.com.
