Elaine E. Cromheecke Wunderlin

Elaine E. (Cromheecke) Wunderlin, age 86, formerly of Beaver Dam, passed peacefully into God’s care on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, surrounded by her family and wrapped in love.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a 1:30 pm Celebration of Life Service with Pastor Tom Flaherty officiating at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam.

Elaine Elizabeth was born on November 23, 1939, in Columbus, Wisconsin, to Dudley and Lorraine (Schraufnagel) Huettner. She worked at Kraft Foods in Beaver Dam until 1967. She married Jerome E. Cromheecke in 1960, and together they owned and operated Jerome Cromheecke and Daughters Excavating. Elaine managed many aspects of the business—proposals, payroll, taxes, scheduling, billing, and more—until Jerome’s passing in 1994, when shortly after she closed the business.

When her daughters were young Elaine was a 4‑H leader for Spring Valley 4‑H, directing numerous plays and musicals in which her cast earned many awards. Her daughters enjoyed horses, she and Jerome were active in the Dodge County Horseman’s Association and the Leipsic Horse Club, participating in parades and horse shows, and rodeos, throughout the area. She and Jerome were active members of the Swinging Beavers Square Dance Club for many years. They hosted foreign exchange students from Australia and Denmark, making special relationships for a lifetime.

Elaine married Bob Wunderlin in 2000, and together they traveled and attended many car shows in the region. Elaine took great pride in knowing detailed information about many of the vehicles.

One of Elaine’s greatest passions was dancing—she excelled at every style and level. She was a devoted and constant supporter of her children and grandchildren, never missing a birthday and always sending cards filled with love. She collected and displayed 100’s of solar powered dancing sun catchers to brighten every window, changing them out for every holiday and season.

She had a deep love for cats, rescuing countless kittens on the farm and doting on her adult cats with treats and affection. She also found joy in gardening and passed that love on to her daughters. Elaine delighted in watching birds, keeping an eye on her “fat squirrels” and favorite crows, traveling around the country, and playing rummy with friends and family. She was beloved by many.

Elaine is survived by her daughters, Roxanne (David) Cromheecke Kluge and Lisa (Matthias) James; her grandchildren, Elijah and Cassiah James; and special extended family members, Robyn (Keith) Grover, April (Matt) DeWar, Noah (Emma) Grover, Hanna Grover, and Zachary DeWar. She is further survived by her brother and sister, Kenneth (Marian) Huettner and Scharleen (Robert) Searvogel; Robert Huettner finance Jean Budde; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerome; son-in-law, Robert Urbanek; her brother, Robert Huettner; and sister-in-law; Francine Huettner.

Memorials in Elaine’s name may be made to Misfit Felines www.misfitfelines.org