Elaine H. Schilz

March 18, 1921-Jan. 8, 2005

Elaine Helen Schilz, 83, of McCook, died Saturday (Jan. 8, 2005) at Community Hospital of McCook.

She was born March 18, 1921, in Herndon to Paul Louis and Anne Alice (Bobinmyer) Berger. She graduated from Herndon High School in 1939. She attended normal training school in Oberlin and taught for rural schools in Kansas for four years. She continued her education at a vocational school in Kansas City, Kan., receiving a degree in communications. From there she moved to Washington, D.C., where she was a secretary for the Navy Department. She later worked for the railroad in Chicago, Ill., Kansas City and Topeka, Kan.

On Nov. 3, 1949, she married Bernard "Rusty" Jacob Schilz. To this union two daughters were born. They made their home on a farm in Red Willow County until 1960 when they moved to a farm in Hitchcock County. They retired in 1987 and moved to McCook. Elaine was an active part of the farm and was a homemaker.

She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rusty, on June 5, 2003; one sister, Evelyn Showman; and one brother, Lloyd Berger.

Survivors include her two daughters, Judy and husband, Mike Zapp of Kearney and Janice and husband, Rex Hanna of Cambridge; one brother, David Berger of Clarkston, Wash.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial will be Wednesday, 10 a.m., at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with the Rev. Gary Brethour officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation is today until 5 p.m., and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friends may go online at www.carpenterbreland.com to extend condolences.

Rosary will be Tuesday, 7 p.m., at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.