Ela Zemaitaitis

Ela Zemaitaitis, born on June 15, 1933, passed away in peace on February 27, 2025, at the age of 91. Originally from Lithuania, she lived in various towns in Germany and eventually settled with her family in the Brighton Park neighborhood of Chicago, and then in Oak Lawn. She is survived by her beloved sister Zelma and brother-in-law Kestas Juskenas, sister-in-law Elena (Martin) Zemaitaitis, and dear friend Sandra Goeken. She is the fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Marta (nee Kleinaityte) and Jonas Zemaitaitis, her siblings Lydia and Kazys Budvytis, Marta and Tadas Krivickas, Martin Zemaitaitis, August and Anna Zemaitaitis, Edita and Romas Kupreisis, and Irma Zemaitaitis, her nephew Edward Dargelis, and her life and dance partner, Oscar Lopez.
Ela was an avid ballroom dancer, competing across the country. She made her annual trip with Oscar to Las Vegas to spend time in the lights of dance competitions and warmer weather. She held fond memories of the music and celebrations with family and friends during holidays and special occasions. Always an independent and determined lady, she was known to walk for miles with her umbrella and take the bus wherever she wanted to go. She believed, "you use it or you lose it," and she stayed active and quite healthy until her passing. In her final year, Ela shared her dance moves and friendship with the staff and residents at Lakeview Memory Care.
Memorial Visitation Monday, March 24, 2025, 9 A.M. to time of Memorial Service 11 A.M. at Lack and Sons Funeral Home, 9236 South Roberts Road, Hickory Hills. Inurnment Lithuanian National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, offers to the Lithuanian church, St. John-Teviskes Church (7214 S Cass Avenue, Darien, IL 60561), are deeply appreciated