Elaine Fiedler

Heaven gained a sweet, kind, gentle soul, and angel. Elaine J. Fiedler (nee Winkel), age 97, of Sheboygan Falls, WI,
passed away on May 16, 2023 with her family by her side at Harvest Home Assisted Living in Howards Grove,
where she was currently a resident.
She was born on January 22, 1926 in the Town of Meme, Manitowoc, a daughter of the late Hugo and Viola
(Rautmann) Winkel.
Elaine attended Kiel Grade School and High School. At the age of 14, Elaine started working for Walter and Adeline
Schlichting on their farm, where she met her husband, Merlin. On May 26, 1946, she married Merlin L. Fiedler at
Louis Corners. The couple has resided on the family homestead since their marriage. Her husband preceded her in
death on February 11, 2013. At 18 years old she started working for Kraft Foods in Plymouth and after her
marriage she drove truck for Merlin Fiedler Excavating. Many people remember seeing the truck, “Here Comes
Elaine”.
She enjoyed gardening, jigsaw puzzles, cutting fresh flowers for her table and once in a while some weeds made it
into the arrangements, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, polka music, going out to Laack’s Hall –
Johnsonville to dance, and watching her son, Kenjay race stockcar. She was a member of the Homemakers of
America and was a leader of the Riverside 4-H and 4-H Alumni Association, for a total of 35 years. She loved taking
her house plants and cut flowers to the Sheboygan County Fair.
At the age of 91, Elaine was in Rhinelander to be part of her great-granddaughter's Adapted Ski clinic, where she
was avail to water ski for the first time on adapted skis.
Survivors include her five children, Gail Hovey of Waukesha, Diane Fiedler, Gene (Barb) Fiedler, KenJay (Cindy)
Fiedler all of Sheboygan Falls, Ellen (Lee) Leonhard of Sheboygan, six grandchildren, Gwen (James) Orheim of
Pewaukee and their children Lauren and Connor, Carrie Hovey of Waukesha, Wendy (Andrew) Petzold of Mequon
and their children Aaron and Grace, Richard Kummer (fiancé Jennifer Mayer) of Sheboygan, Jesse Fiedler, John
(Ashley) Fiedler and their children Josh and Alise all of Sheboygan Falls; five step-grandchildren, Mark (Gail)
Leonhard and their children Oscar, Jake, Nash and Arthur all of Sheboygan Falls, Mike (Chris) Leonhard and their
children Jack and Chelsey all of Oshkosh, Jordan (Stephanie) Adams and their children Mitchell and Addie of
Sheboygan Falls, Mitchel (Lori) Adams and their children Wilson and Kennedy all of Plymouth, Lindley (Bill) Mauer
and their children Grace and Charli of Campbellsport; two sisters, Shirley Kaminsky and June (Bill) Froh; and
brother, Frederick (Mary) Winkel. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Grace Hemschmeyer; sister-in-law, Evelyn Thuemmler;
and brother-in-law, Leroy Kaminsky.
Visitation will be held on Monday (May 22, 2023) at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth from 1:00 – 4:00 PM;
with a memorial service to follow at 4:00 PM. Pastor Robert Schrader, Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in
Sheboygan Falls, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for Graceful Wake Adaptive Ski Clinic, St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church in Sheboygan Falls and 4-H Alumni Association.
The Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences please visit, www.suchonfh.com.
The family would like to send a special thanks to all the staff of Harvest Home Assisted Living and Sharon S.
Richardson Community Hospice for all their care and compassion given to Elaine.