Kromminga, Elaine Leone

Elaine Leone Kromminga, 74, died Saturday, May 18, 2013, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center in Keystone, with her children at her side. Elaine quietly dealt with many health issues throughout her life and fought her last courageous battle with lung cancer over the past two years. As one friend put it, “she carried herself with dignity and grace at all times.” Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 23, at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with the Rev. B. Andrew Wright officiating. Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

A memorial fund has been established for the American Cancer Society, St. John Lutheran Church and the Care Initiatives Hospice.

Elaine was born June 18, 1938, in rural Newhall, to Walter and Ilma (Werning) Schminke. She was confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall in 1952 and graduated from Van Horne High School in 1956.

On Aug. 3, 1957, she was united in marriage to Duane F. Kromminga at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall. Elaine supported Duane on the farm until his retirement in 1994. Duane preceded her in death on July 1, 2004.

Elaine was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone including Dorcas Guild, Altar Guild, as well as numerous ladies committees and church events. She was also a member of the Keystone Legion Auxiliary. She worked as a teacher's aid at Benton Community Schools at the Keystone Center for several years.

Elaine was a woman of many creative talents. She was an avid gardener, quilter, cake decorator and seamstress. She always had a project to be completed. One month before her death, she completed her fifth baptismal gown for her grandchildren.

Those left to honor her life are her children, Lori McCulloh and husband Brian of Viroqua, Wis., and Kurt Kromminga and wife Jane of Johnston; five grandchildren, Ryan (Jenni) McCulloh of Mazomanie, Wis., Matt (Carolyn) McCulloh of Edina, Minn., Allison McCulloh of Chicago, and Hailey and Ross Kromminga of Johnston; great-granddaughter, Clara McCulloh of Mazomanie, Wis.; two sisters, Ruth Oehlerich and husband Darwin of Keystone, and Lois Wessling and husband Grant of Atkins; sister-in-law, Donna Schminke; brother-in-law, Cliff Thompson; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sister, Lenore Thompson; brothers, Marlin and Wilfred; and infant brothers, Vernon and Daryl.

Condolences may be left at .

Published in The Gazette May 21, 2013.