Elaine Dorothy Martha Rakow was born July 6th, 1925, on her mother’s birthday in Pine River, Wisconsin to Olga Maria Magdalena Voigt and Herbert Walter Rakow. She was called to live with our Father in heaven on August 28th 2023. At the age of 14 her family moved to the town of Merrill, Wisconsin to live in a beautiful home at 611 Superior Street. She and her 5 sisters were so happy to be in the “BIG CITY”
In May of 1942 she moved to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin to work in the shipyards as a “Rosie the Riveter” for 33 months. These times were hard work, but she told so many stories about those times. How she enjoyed the freedom and the friends she made. After the war Elaine enrolled in “Needle Trades” (furrier school) back home in Merrill. There is where she met her future husband Glenn L. Hodgson. She was employed by Fromm Brothers Furrier Trade in Merrill, until moving to Chicago after her marriage. She and Glenn were married June 29th, 1946, in Merrill, WI., and shortly thereafter moved to Chicago to work in the fur trade on State Street. She worked for several different furriers in downtown Chicago and Evanston, Ill. during her career. While in Chicago they raised two children and were very involved in their community of great neighbors. They were faithful members of Redeemer Lutheran Church of Park Ridge, IL. For 35 years. Elaine was always willing to help whenever and wherever needed. She was always baking coffee Cakes or cookies for church and school bake sales or for neighbors in need. At Christmas time she would bake dozens of cookies to give away. After Glenn retired, they moved to “Summerset” a beautiful lake community in Davis, IL. Elaine lived out her life enjoying going for pontoon rides on the lake and later in life just enjoying the beautiful view of the lake from her bay window. Elaine & Glenn were members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Durand, IL. She remained in her home until her death because of the devotion of her son Michael who took such good care of her and Glenn for many years.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn her husband of 73 years and sisters Delores Markstrom, Maryann Karow, Natlee Christoffersen, Verdella Winkelmann, many wonderful in-laws, and Granddaughter Janiece Gina Vitek.
Elaine will be fiercely missed by daughter Glenda and husband John Vitek, son Michael Hodgson, Granddaughter Jacqueline G. James and husband Joshua, Great Grandson John Paul James, Sister Ramona Feldman, Brother-in law Jerry Hodgson, numerous nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends.