Elaine Rose Luethke was born April 28, 1936, to William and Anna (Schmersal) Luebbe in Malcolm.
She graduated from Seward High School in 1953. On Oct. 9, 1955, Elaine was united in marriage to Elmer Schellhorn at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Staplehurst. Following Elmer’s passing in 1963, Elaine married Ralph Luethke on Sept. 13, 1964, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Elaine enjoyed being a homemaker and taking care of her family. She also worked at the Seward Middle School as a food service employee until her retirement. She was a member of St. John LWML, Comforter Makers and was a singer at St. John services at Ridgewood. Elaine passed away April 13, 2024, in Seward.
She is survived by her sons, Gerald (Brenda) Schellhorn of Lincoln, Arlan (Dawn) Schellhorn of Seward, Myron (Deborah) Schellhorn of Lincoln, Curtis (Rebecca) Luethke of Seward, and Douglas (Bonnie) Luethke of Milford; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brother, Ronald (Cheryl) Luebbe of York; sisters, Miriam Ostermeier of Rising City, and Arlene (Ted) Luebbe, Fairbury; sisters-in-law, Naomi Luebbe of Seward, Marilyn Luebbe of Davenport, Iowa, and Dorothy Luebbe of Taylor Ridge, Illinois; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lorraine Schellhorn of Denver, Colorado, Richard (Thelma) Schellhorn of Gilead, and Shirley Ehlers of David City.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph Luethke and Elmer Schellhorn; parents, William and Anna Luebbe; grandson, Alex Luethke; brothers, Marvin Luebbe, Dwayne Luebbe, Norman Luebbe and Dennis Luebbe; brother-in-law, Lyle Ostermeier; and sister-in-law, Beverly Luebbe.
Visitation is Thursday, April 18, from 4 – 8 p.m. At Volzke Funeral Home with a gathering of family and friends from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The memorial service is at 10 a.m. Friday, April 19, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with committal at the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the Orphan Grain Train. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
