Elaine V. Killian

Elaine was born on Nov. 10, 1927, in Neenah, daughter of the late Frank and Virginia (Huss) DeBruin. Elaine graduated from St. Mary High School in 1945. She married Frank Killian on Feb. 4, 1948, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Menasha. They shared 60 years of marriage together before Frank preceded her in death in 2008.

After their children were raised, volunteer work became an important part of Elaine’s life. Elaine served as a Community Supportive Care worker for people with mental illness. She also volunteered at Theda Clark Regional Medical Center for 35 years and as a hospital Eucharistic Minister for St. Mary’s. Frank and Elaine enjoyed many years as members of the Neenah-Menasha YMCA and made many friends.

Elaine’s Catholic faith and her family were the most important aspects of her life. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church until her death, even after moves to Valley VNA in Neenah in 2003 and most recently to Iron Mountain in 2019 to be closer to family.

Elaine is survived by three children, Michael (Linda) Killian of Horton, Mich.; Patrick (Suzanne) Killian of Niagara, Wis.; and Sue (Craig) Kuske of Brooklyn Park, Minn. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; a brother, Vernon DeBruin and a sister, Judy (Mike) Zerby; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joan Jenkins, Joan (Peter) Gaigg, Virgie Meulemans, Barb Killian, Dawn Killian, and Dan (Judy) Killian; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Besides her husband Frank, Elaine was preceded in death by, a daughter and son-in-law, Ginny and Duane Lashua; a great-granddaughter, Abagail Lashua; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Yvonne DeBruin; and sister-in-law, Patsy DeBruin.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Valley VNA for their dedication and support during Elaine’s independent living in Neenah and the staff of Maryhill Manor in Niagara and Victorian Pines Assisted Living in Iron Mountain for their compassionate and loving care of Elaine. Additionally, many thanks to the remarkable medical staff of Dickinson Memorial Hospital who provided such professional care to Elaine on many occasions.

For those wishing, memorials in Elaine’s memory are appreciated and can be made to St. Mary Catholic Church – Menasha, Neenah-Menasha YMCA or Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

A funeral Mass, preceded by visitation, will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 528 Second St., Menasha at a later date. The Mass will also be live-streamed.