Elaine Brill

Elaine Brill, 88, formerly of Seymour, peacefully went to her Lord the morning of October 17.

Elaine was born on February 22, 1938, in Manitowoc County to Ed and Hilda (Ruh) Mathes. She met her earliest challenge when her father passed away two months before her birth. Elaine was raised in Kiel, Wisconsin, where she graduated from Kiel High School.

Elaine married Gerald "Jerry" Brill in 1958 and together they shared a marriage of 45 years before his untimely death in 2004. They raised five children: Debbie (Mark) Baker, Terry (Janet) Brill, Jim (Laura) Brill, Cindy (Jim) Van de Hei, and Sue (David) Streit. In addition, she enjoyed the love of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She spent the last 15 years of her life with Vern Malchow.

Elaine and Jerry moved to Seymour in 1965, where she was a devoted mother and a person of deep faith. As a long-standing member of the United Methodist Church, Elaine sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, served as a lay leader and Sunday school teacher, and was active in the United Methodist Women. She was also involved with the Girl Scouts for over 25 years. Elaine loved to travel, visiting all 50 states and many countries. She shared this love of travel with others as a tour coordinator with Huettl Tours for 22 years.

Elaine is survived by her brother-in-law Ralph (Judi) Brill and sisters-in-law Clara "Toots" Mathes and Lora Mathes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six siblings and spouses: Earl (Betty) Mathes, June Wagy, Elvira (Darwin) Kanz, Will Mathes, Hal Mathes, and Bernice (Pete) Gutche.

Elaine's Day of Remembrance will be held Thursday, October 22, at Seymour United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until the funeral service at 12:00 pm.

The Brill family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice, especially Traci and Erin, and the nurses and staff at Meadow Wood Residential Care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Seymour or Pulaski food pantry.