Elaine Ruth Kraft, 90, of Eau Claire (formerly Cedarburg, WI) entered into Jesus’ loving arms on May7, 2026. She was born July 12, 1935 to Erwin and Florence Zahn Hackbarth.

Elaine leaves behind son, John (Debbie), and daughter, Ellen (Kent); grandchildren, Corey (Candace), Molly (Mark), and Margaret; great grandchildren, Aubree Grace, Colie Joy, and Kezzie Faith. She had a special bond with her Hackbarth nephews and nieces: Bryan (Rosie), Jim (Lisa), Jenny, and Jan.

Elaine is preceded in death by her parents Erwin and Florence Hackbarth, brother, Russell (Kathy); in-laws, Walter and Edna (Lade) Kraft: son, David; and great grandchild, little Hallie Hope.

Born in Milwaukee WI, Elaine was baptized, confirmed, and married at Emmaus Lutheran Church. She graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School. She worked for Dummann World Trade until MLHS needed a secretary.

She met her husband Ron at the Arlington Racetrack in Chicago, and they were married on August 19, 1962. They purchased their first home in Wauwatosa and attended Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

After raising their three children, Ron and Elaine moved to the quaint little town of Cedarburg and attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Freistadt. Eventually they moved to Eau Claire to be near their kids.

Ron and Elaine did a lot of genealogy research and collected Martin Luther coins. They were members of various genealogy groups including the Pommerscher Verein Freistadt and the Milwaukee County Genealogy Society. They traveled to Pomerania several times to visit their ancestral villages and treasured meeting new friends while doing research.

The family will be holding a memorial service on Saturday June 13th at Trinity Lutheran Church of Freistadt, 10729 W. Freistadt Road, Mequon, WI.  Visitation and fellowship begins at 10:00am, the memorial service starts at 11:00, with a luncheon to follow.  Those interested may send flowers to the church for the memorial service.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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