Dorothy M. Elonen

Dorothy M. Elonen, 91, Oulu, WI resident, passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at her home. She was born on June 21, 1924 in Milwaukee, WI to Frank and Elizabeth (Hoffmeier) Benka and has been in Oulu since 1947.

She married Toivo Elonen on January 25, 1947 in Superior and celebrated 51 years of marriage before he passed away on April 26, 1998.

Dorothy and Toivo owned and operated the family farm for many years.
She was a member Grace Baptist Church, Loyal Homemakers and the Ladies Aid.

Dorothy and Toivo housed three exchange students from Finland in the 1970’s, Heikki Saloheimo, Olli Saloheimo and Leena Kutinlahti.

Dorothy is survived by two daughters, Hope DioRio, Iron River, WI and Victoria Elonen, Oulu, WI; two sons, Gary (Laura) Elonen, Kiel, WI and Gregory (Colleen) Elonen, Superior, WI; nine grandchildren, Kimberly (Klaus) Nieder, Oulu, WI, Michael DioRio, Iron River, WI, Grace Elonen, Superior, WI, Eric Elonen, Superior, WI, Katrina Burkhardt and Tashina Elonen, both of Kiel, WI, Ann Marie Kane, Erie, PA, Gary Freiwald, Erie, PA; six great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren and six step great great-grandchildren; one sister, Rose (Burt) Ellis, Roseburg, OR and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Toivo, Dorothy is preceded in death by a grandson, Patrick DioRio; her parents; her stepmother, Theresa Benka, two brothers, George Nicklaus and Bernard Benka and a sister, Elsie Sylke.

Visitation will begin at 1:30 PM on Saturday, May 21, 2016 and will continue until the 2:30 PM funeral service at Grace Baptist Church in Iron River with Pastor Thomas Blomberg, officiating.

Burial will be in the Iron River City Cemetery in Iron River, WI.

Dorothy’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the many friends who volunteered their time to come to the house and assist with Dorothy’s care throughout this past year.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.