Elaine M. Washburn

Elaine M. Washburn, age 90, of Baraboo, passed away peacefully Monday, April 29, 2024 at St. Clare Hospital with family at her side.  Elaine, daughter of Elmer and Arminda (Thake) Koepp was born September 8, 1933 in Baraboo.  She graduated from Baraboo High School, class of 1951.  She was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Baraboo. On Sept. 6, 1952 she was united in marriage to Gene Washburn at St. John’s Lutheran Church.  Elaine worked at Breva Sportswear, McArthur Hamock Factory & Eagle Signal. Elaine enjoyed taking bus and train trips with Gene to many areas across the country. Some of her most memorable trips were bus trips to Branson, Missouri and Nashville, Tennessee with her favorite trip to Colorado by train. Elaine enjoyed listening to and watching the songbirds, bowling, dancing and camping with friends and family. She and Gene loved to dance waltz’s and polka’s; their favorite song was Somewhere My Love.  Elaine was an avid Brewers, Green Bay Packers and  Badger Sports fan. Elaine loved to go out for good prime rib and good bar burgers.

Survivors include daughters, Colleen (Herman) Nimmow, Linda (Harvey) Emery and Sandra (John) Anstett; grandchildren, Sherry (Billy) Turner, Kristina (Bruce) Kopf, Nicholas (Nicole) Anstett, Jenelle (Justin Ganser) Emery, Amber (James VanWagner) Emery and Ashley Anstett; nine great-grandchildren, Destiny, Cody, Ashton, Leyla, Bailie, Cayden, Zoey, Reid and Ryker; sister-in-law, Patty Washburn; brother-in-law, James (Peggy) Washburn, as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Gene; parents; sister, Faye Schmidt and her granddaughter, Andrea Anstett.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 12 p.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home with Pastor Karen Hofstad officiating. Burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom with lunch to follow at the American Legion Hall in North Freedom. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Baraboo or the North Freedom Fire Department.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Clare Hospital and Hospice, Oak Park Place, Renee Byers and Rita Licht for the compassionate care shown to Elaine and her family.