In Loving Memory

Elaine Leona Vetsch

Elaine Leona Vetsch, age 85, was called home by her Lord and Savior on October 31, 2021, at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, WA.  Elaine was born on September 28, 1936 in Mayville, Wisconsin; the only child of Valeska (Haacker) Graper and Lester Graunke.  However, it was Henry Graper who she looked upon as her father as her parents divorced.  She spent her childhood in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where she first attended an all-girls parochial school, and later, Beaver Dam High School, graduating in 1955.  With her German upbringing, Elaine enjoyed dancing, especially the polka, and playing the accordion.

After graduation, Elaine moved to Madison, Wisconsin.  It was during that time she met her future husband, Lyle Vetsch, at a dance in the Milwaukee area while he was on leave from the navy.  They married on February 16, 1957.  She quickly became a naval wife and spent time in Bremerton, WA and Norfolk, VA, as well as Chewelah, while Lyle finished his Tour of Duty.  In 1962, they settled in Chewelah, Lyle's hometown, after a brief time in Colville.  Together, they had four children.  Elaine grew to love the Chewelah area and did not hesitate to call it home.

Elaine was a woman of strong spiritual faith.  She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chewelah and was involved with Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and many other church events.  She was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary, and a past member of Rebekah Lodge.  She enjoyed spending time with friends playing pinochle at the Rebekah Lodge or Senior Center, as well as bowling on the Thursday women's league.  Elaine became a member of the Hospital Auxiliary and was a greeter for the hospital.

Elaine spent her last four years in Chewelah as a resident of Quail Hollow Assisted Living, where she continued to enjoy playing cards and a game of BINGO.  In 2020, she moved to Gracious Hearts Adult Family Home in Wenatchee, WA., where she resided until her death.

Elaine is survived by her daughters, BaLinda (Rodger) Matlock of Omak, WA, and Sandra Stone of Jackson, MI; her grandsons, Kyle and Dustin (Adrienne) Welch, Scott Matlock, and Joshua and Jeremy Stone; her granddaughters, Lindsey (Jason) Barry, Shana (Jeremy) Anders, and Sarah (Christopher) Cramer; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, and their families.  Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lyle; eldest daughter VaLorie Welch; son Robert Vetsch; son-in-law Ronald Stone; and brother-in-law Lester Vetsch.

Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted in care.