Obituaries & Guestbook

Elaine Grace Bunke went into the arms of Jesus on October 13, 2024 at the age of 96. Elaine was born on May 24, 1928 in Green Bay, WI, the daughter of the late Elmer and Dorothea (Richter) Grupe. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Sheboygan and graduated from Central High School in 1945. On June 24, 1950 she was married to the love of her life, Edward C. Bunke, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sheboygan.
After graduation from high school, Elaine worked in the office of Central High School until June 30, 1951. From 1967 through 1976 she worked as a secretary in the South High Guidance Office.
Mrs. Bunke was active in various church organizations throughout the years. She held offices in the Walther League, Immanuel Lutheran School Parent-Teacher League, Immanuel Ladies Aid, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League plus many church committees. She was a former member of the Sheboygan Municipal Band, Lutheran Chorus of Sheboygan, Immanuel’s A Cappella Choir and a Brownie Scout Leader. Elaine and Edward loved to be with family and with their many friends. They enjoyed concerts and plays as well as their frequent travels across America and to Europe. On November 1, 2014, she and Edward moved to Holland, Ohio to be close to their daughter and family.
Elaine is survived by 2 children—Janet (Rev. Shirrel) Petzoldt of Holland, Ohio and James (Connie) Bunke of Sebewaing, Michigan. She was blessed with four grandchildren—Joy (Christopher) Hansell of Jackson, Michigan, Andrew (Alyssa) Petzoldt of Grand Haven, Michigan, Christopher (Sunshine) Bunke of Houston, Texas and Jessica Bunke of Sebewaing, Michigan. Beloved great-grandchildren include Jonathan Hansell, Victory Bunke and Valor Bunke. Elaine is survived by a sister-in-law, Lois Moehrke of Mondovi, Wisconsin and niece, Kathy (William) Ickstadt of Mondovi. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward; her parents, father and mother-in-law, Edward and Olga Bunke; sister-in-law, Lillian Bunke, and nephew, Timothy Moehrke.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1634 Illinois Ave., Sheboygan. Rev. Donald Johnson, pastor, will officiate and burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery. A time of visitation and support will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on October 19 from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at 11:00 a.m.
A memorial fund has been established in her name for Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheboygan and Good Shepherd of the Deaf Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio.
The Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.