Elaine E. Eucker

Elaine E. Eucker, 95, of Albion, NE, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 15, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society in Albion, NE.

There will be a private family funeral at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. Carolann Hopcke officiating.  Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Albion, NE. Due to Covid-19 concerns the family has decided not to have a public visitation.

Memorials received by the family will be designated at a later date.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Elaine Eleanor Eucker was born August 26, 1925, to Walter and Ella (Werkmeister) Claus. She was baptized at age 11 at Green Garden Church, rural Madison, NE. On Mother's Day, May 5, 1940, she was confirmed at age 14. There were 4 students in her class, including her sister, Iola. Her favorite Bible verse was John 3:16. She attended country school for 8 years and 1 year at St. Paul's Parochial School, graduating from eighth grade.

Elaine married Carl Eucker August 26, 1946, at Green Garden church. They began farming east of Newman Grove. During their 7 years on this farm, Connie and Carmen were born. When Carmen was 3 in March of 1954, they moved to a farm 5 miles west of Newman Grove. They were blessed with another daughter, Chawna. They ran a dairy operation until 1963. Making countless improvements on the farm, they earned the Boone County Conservation Award for soil and water conservation in 1963.

Carl and Elaine were known as caring neighbors while farming west of Newman Grove. This caring attitude carried over when they moved to Albion. On May 11, 1978, they received Aksarben's Good Neighbor Award. Elaine was friendly and "never knew a stranger". She partially realized her dream of becoming a teacher through her years of teaching Sunday School. She taught 11 years at Trinity Lutheran in Newman Grove and 3 years at St. Paul's in Albion. The majority of these years were patiently spent introducing the Lord's Word to three-year-olds.

Elaine was a loving mother and grandmother. She had her children take piano and swimming lessons. She helped Carl with the farming, painted the barn and outbuildings. She supplemented their income by selling eggs and dressed chickens. Elaine and Carl enjoyed dancing at King's ballroom, playing cards, camping, and travel, visiting all 50 states, Panama, and cruises. Elaine excelled at gardening, cooking, canning, sewing, crocheting, embroidery, and quilting. She passionately spent several years extensively researching and compiling the family history.

Elaine is survived by her 3 children: Connie Vitek of Fremont, NE, Carmen (Vivian) Eucker of Albion, NE, Chawna Dodendorf of Palmyra, NE, 8 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 2 great- great grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl Eucker (April 2018); sister, Iola (Leslie) Kollars; brother, Homer (Fern) Claus; and one son-in-law, Edward Vitek.