ELAINE COSGROVE
April 28, 1926 - November 29, 2015
Obituary
Elaine Anna (Krueger) Cosgrove passed away peacefully on November 29, 2015, at the age of 89, after suffering with extreme dementia for several years. Elaine was born in Menasha on April 28, 1926 to Fred and Elizabeth (Windisch) Krueger. Following graduation from Menasha High School, she was employed by the George Banta Co. where she met and later married Merlin Cosgrove on May 17, 1947. Together, they raised a daughter, Connie (Cosgrove) Schroeder and son, Ron Cosgrove.
Elaine was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Neenah/Menasha where she was employed as the church secretary for many years while raising her family. She later served as Financial Secretary for the church for over 26 years. She also served as the Treasurer and Registrar of the Methodist Nursery School for over 20 years. Elaine was an active member of United Methodist Women and served as their Treasurer for 9 years. She and Merlin were members of the church's Asbury Couples Club where they gathered with many of their closest friends. Elaine was also a long-time member of the church choir.
Elaine served for several years on the Banta Credit Union (Prospera) Board of Directors.
The Boys' and Girls' Brigade of Neenah/Menasha employed Elaine for 13 years as their Bookkeeper. After her retirement, she and Merlin continued to volunteer at the Brigade in the office and with Christmas Giving.
Elaine and Merlin volunteered as drivers for Meals on Wheels for many years as a way of paying forward to their community.
Elaine's interests and hobbies were many. She was an avid bowler with several high game accomplishments. She was also an active golfer who achieved a hole-in-one. She was an accomplished seamstress who enjoyed sewing and quilting. She relaxed with knitting and reading.
Elaine and Merlin enjoyed traveling and camping while their family grew up. In their later years, they took several bus tour trips to various U.S. destinations.
Elaine is survived by her daughter and son, Connie (Glenn) Schroeder of Neenah and Ron Cosgrove (Dawn Robinson, special friend) of Winchester; grandsons Chad Schroeder of Neenah and Justin Cosgrove of Michigan; granddaughters Kara (Schroeder) (Brian) White of Menomonee Falls, Tresa (Cosgrove) (Mac) Blackburn of Medford, and Kimberly Cosgrove (Dylan Gebert) of Owen. Elaine is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren, Jack and Anna White, Autumn Blackburn, and Kaylee and Jaxson Gebert. Also surviving Elaine are three sisters-in-law, Marcella (Lynus) Krueger, Patricia (Glenn) Krueger and Joan (Don) Krueger. Elaine also has many surviving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding Elaine in death were her husband Merlin; parents Fred and Elizabeth Krueger; brothers Leslie, Lynus, Glenn, Verne (Don), Robert and her sister and brother-in-law Lois and Irving Buss.
Following Elaine's wishes a Memorial Service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Neenah for the immediate family and relatives only. There will be no visitation. Elaine wished for no flowers, please, but rather that any memorial expressions are sent as donations to the Boys' and Girls' Brigade of Neenah/Menasha or First United Methodist Church of Neenah/Menasha.
The family would like to express extreme gratefulness for the care given to Elaine by the staff of Valley VNA Senior Services where Elaine had been a resident for several years. They are also thankful for the guidance and care of Theda Care Hospice Nurses during her final year.
Elaine was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Neenah/Menasha where she was employed as the church secretary for many years while raising her family. She later served as Financial Secretary for the church for over 26 years. She also served as the Treasurer and Registrar of the Methodist Nursery School for over 20 years. Elaine was an active member of United Methodist Women and served as their Treasurer for 9 years. She and Merlin were members of the church's Asbury Couples Club where they gathered with many of their closest friends. Elaine was also a long-time member of the church choir.
Elaine served for several years on the Banta Credit Union (Prospera) Board of Directors.
The Boys' and Girls' Brigade of Neenah/Menasha employed Elaine for 13 years as their Bookkeeper. After her retirement, she and Merlin continued to volunteer at the Brigade in the office and with Christmas Giving.
Elaine and Merlin volunteered as drivers for Meals on Wheels for many years as a way of paying forward to their community.
Elaine's interests and hobbies were many. She was an avid bowler with several high game accomplishments. She was also an active golfer who achieved a hole-in-one. She was an accomplished seamstress who enjoyed sewing and quilting. She relaxed with knitting and reading.
Elaine and Merlin enjoyed traveling and camping while their family grew up. In their later years, they took several bus tour trips to various U.S. destinations.
Elaine is survived by her daughter and son, Connie (Glenn) Schroeder of Neenah and Ron Cosgrove (Dawn Robinson, special friend) of Winchester; grandsons Chad Schroeder of Neenah and Justin Cosgrove of Michigan; granddaughters Kara (Schroeder) (Brian) White of Menomonee Falls, Tresa (Cosgrove) (Mac) Blackburn of Medford, and Kimberly Cosgrove (Dylan Gebert) of Owen. Elaine is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren, Jack and Anna White, Autumn Blackburn, and Kaylee and Jaxson Gebert. Also surviving Elaine are three sisters-in-law, Marcella (Lynus) Krueger, Patricia (Glenn) Krueger and Joan (Don) Krueger. Elaine also has many surviving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding Elaine in death were her husband Merlin; parents Fred and Elizabeth Krueger; brothers Leslie, Lynus, Glenn, Verne (Don), Robert and her sister and brother-in-law Lois and Irving Buss.
Following Elaine's wishes a Memorial Service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Neenah for the immediate family and relatives only. There will be no visitation. Elaine wished for no flowers, please, but rather that any memorial expressions are sent as donations to the Boys' and Girls' Brigade of Neenah/Menasha or First United Methodist Church of Neenah/Menasha.
The family would like to express extreme gratefulness for the care given to Elaine by the staff of Valley VNA Senior Services where Elaine had been a resident for several years. They are also thankful for the guidance and care of Theda Care Hospice Nurses during her final year.
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