Elaine Lendoris (Schrank) Muck

Every story has an ending. Elaine’s story began like this.

Elaine Lendoris Schrank was born to Erhardt and Ethel (Evenson) Schrank in Manitowoc, WI on the 2nd of March in 1936. Her middle name came from her father’s brother, Leonard and her mother’s sister, Doris.

The youngest of two daughters, Elaine grew up between Manitowoc and her maternal Norwegian grandparents farm in Valders, WI. As a result, Elaine was a lover of animals, particularly dogs since she was young. She worked at Dunning’s grocery store during high school. Their german potato salad was her favorite.

After graduating with the Lincoln High School class of 1954, Elaine attended the Cradle in Evanston, IL for nursing, completing her studies in 1955. That same year she met Duane Muck, the proprietor of Timber Lodge, a popular beer & pizza tavern on Manitowoc’s north side. They eloped and married in Las Vegas, Nevada on Aug 25th, 1956. The Manitowoc County Fair was taking place and provided the perfect opportunity to close the tavern for a few days. In 1957 they welcomed their first of six children.

1936 was her birth year. It was also the year King Edward VIII abdicated. The completion of the Hoover Dam, the first public flight of the Hindenburg, the first publication of Gone With the Wind and issue of Life magazine and Billboard Magazine published its first pop music chart. Pop music in 1936?

This is shared because Elaine took great interest in the world around her. She was an avid crossword puzzler, and a lover of literature with books or magazines always nearby. The big picture mattered as well as the short interactions she had daily with strangers who soon were considered friends. She never met a person she didn’t have a smile for or appreciate. And if she had, she never would have said so. She didn’t complain. She found something special in all those she knew.

Elaine is survived by her children Terri Barrie, Brian and Tina Muck, Vicki and Todd Laws, Tammy Muck and David Muck, and grandchildren, Elizabeth and Tucker Barrie, Alyssa (Dan) Fourness, Alexa Laws (Nick Grey), Derek and Nathan Muck, great grandchildren Jasper and Aila Fourness. sisters-in-law Betty Polzin and Sharen Split, very special cousins, nieces and nephews, former son in law Bob Barrie and many special lifelong friends.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband Duane, her son Bradley, sister Marilyn Rosenbauer, grandchild Zach, sister in-law Ramona Hart and brother in-laws Robert Polzin and William Hart.

Elaine’s story ended February 23, 2022. One week shy of her 86th birthday. The world is much different from when she entered it. She would have happily picked up an accordion over an iPad. Elaine recently said that, “She’d love to stay, but that it was time to go.” Although her story is over, her memory will live on.

A celebration of life for Elaine will be held March 5th, 2022 at 11am - 2pm at the All-Care Celebration Center at 925 So 14th Street, Manitowoc. A luncheon will be served and german potato salad will be on the menu.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Humane Society would be appreciated.

The Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home of Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

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