Elaine Antonette Sarenac

Elaine Antonette Sarenac, November 7, 1947 - September 23, 2023.

Elaine Antonette Sarenac, 75, formerly of Minocqua, is reunited with the love of her life, Jerry, for an eternal boat ride together in paradise. In true Elaine fashion, she went to Heaven with compassion, love, grace, dignity and always putting others before herself, with her adoring daughters Jenny and Karen, and devoted sister Jo Ann by her side. Elaine is survived by Jennifer (Jim) Bucklew of Somerset, and Karen (Shawn) Roehrich of Lac du Flambeau. Elaine, “Grandma Toots,” is also survived by grandchildren Elizabeth Bucklew, Amanda (Brad) Johnson, Jeremy (Carolyn) Bucklew, Jon (Raquel) Bucklew, Ainsley and Anika Roehrich, and great-grandchildren Emilia, Azarias, Athena, Aislynn and Baby Bucklew. Elaine is further survived by sisters Kathleen, Jo Ann (Steve), Judy, Lisa and brothers Orton, Jr. and Tom, along with many nephews and nieces, including her third “daughter” Angie. Elaine was predeceased by her loving and faithful husband Jerry, mother Annabelle, fathers Orton and William, grandfather Joseph, brothers Michael and Joey as well as the treasured grandmother who raised her, Catherine.

Elaine was born in Milwaukee, where she lived for the first 30 years of her life, until she moved to the beautiful Northwoods, which she would eventually call “home.” She was an entrepreneur owning a local secretarial service, Girl Friday. She provided her keen secretarial and hospitality skills at local schools, hospitals, and eventually retired after almost 20 years of service with Lake of the Torches human resources.

Elaine brought her bubbly personality, giving spirit and smile to many local organizations including the Business and Professional Women (BPW), Women’s Wednesday Night Bowling League, World Musky Hunt and the “Hostess with the Mostest” for Beef-A-Rama for 40 years. Elaine was an active member of St. Matthias Church, where she served as a deaconess. Elaine’s faith in God was the foundation of her existence.

Elaine and Jerry were married in 1988 and found their forever true love in each other.

They cherished time with friends and family, and especially loved a night out complete with an Early Times Manhattan, karaoke and dancing until the wee hours to Elvis and Frank Sinatra, especially their ballad, “Unchained Melody.” Anyone who watched them on the dance floor could not help but smile. Music was a huge part of their life together.

Their summer weekends were spent boating on the Minocqua Chain.

Elaine enjoyed Saturdays of shopping (clearance rack only!) and lunches out with friends and family, cooking, taking walks (even in her slippers!), feeding deer, writing daily sweet “just because” cards to the masses, always sealed with a (lipsticked) kiss.

She hosted the best sleepovers, was a “second mom” to many with her antennae-like surveillance — “wherever God isn’t, Elaine is!” — and made birthdays so very special. She treasured weekends away with friends where there were many shenanigans to be had. Swimming and playing with her grandchildren brought joy and love to all involved.

Elaine engaged with her grandchildren like they were the only ones in the world, spoiling them constantly with special gifts, lots of kisses, and mostly her infectious love. 

Elaine started dancing at a young age. She helped countless dancers grow as a volunteer assistant coach/”Pom Mom” for the LUHS Dance Team for a decade. Later, she was the Best Dance Grandma ever with the Island City Dance Studio. She attended thousands of performances, recitals and competitions. This interest allowed Elaine to make many fond memories with her daughter and granddaughters, and the hundreds of young women whom she cheered on as their #1 fan.

Elaine leaves a legacy of family, resiliency, thoughtfulness, strength, gratitude, generosity, always finding the rainbow after a storm, a smile and sparkle in her eye that could light up a room, and especially her “love you more” approach to life and people.

We celebrate as Mama brings her caring and joyful heart to the Heavens so that they too, can be blessed as we have been here on Earth. We will see you soon Mama, and we love you more.

A celebration of life in honor of Elaine, where family and friends are invited to wear purple will be held Saturday, Oct. 7 with a 10 a.m. visitation and 11 a.m. service at St. Matthias Episcopal Church in Minocqua and burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. If you wish to honor Elaine, please consider making a donation for research in her honor, visit https://curealz.org/giving/donate/ or https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate. To participate in a Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit https://act.alz.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=walk_homepage. Bolger Funeral Home is assisting the family, please visit www.bolgerfuneral.com to share condolences.