Elaine Melchert

Elaine Melchert (Zuidema), 82, passed away from natural causes in her home on Sunday, May 21st, 2023. She was the daughter of late Harold and Marion (Ney) Zuidema. In March, Elaine and her husband Merlin Melchert celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. She was a dedicated caregiver to him until her last day and the solid foundation of her family. 

Elaine retired in February 2005 from the accounting department at Plastics Engineering Company, Sheboygan, and moved with her husband Merlin to their retirement home in De Pere. 

Elaine enjoyed working in her many flower gardens, baking favorite recipes, shopping, photography, reading, interior decorating, entertaining for holidays, trips to Oneida bingo and casions with her husband, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

She is survived by her husband Merlin Melchert, daughter Tami Melchert, four grandchildren, Matthew Balph, Michael Horzen II, Michelle Dassow (Horzen), Shane Parisek, and three great-grandchildren, Owen Dassow, Liam Waller, and Alyona Wallner.

Elaine's wishes are for a private service to be held at a later date, and this poem shared:

"Life is a journey, 

life is but a stepping place, 

a pause and what's to be 

A resting place along the road 

To Sweet eternity. 

We all have different journeys, 

different paths along the way. 

We all were meant to learn some things but never meant to stay. 

Our destination is a place 

far greater than we know. 

For some, the journey's quicker, 

for some, the journey slow. 

And when the journey finally ends, 

we'll claim a great reward, 

and find an everlasting peace, 

together with the Lord."