Elaine Sophia Wothe

Elaine Sophia Wothe, age 80, of Atwater, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, September 23, at Ecumen of Litchfield.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by her funeral service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 5, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater. Interment will be at Wolf Lake Cemetery in Wolf Lake. Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Elaine was born on February 3, 1945, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Aho) Karppinen. She grew up near Toad Lake and graduated from Frazee High School in 1963. She attended Wadena Technical College and then began working as a secretary. On August 16, 1968, Elaine was united in marriage to Bruce Wothe. They lived in Detroit Lakes and the Twin Cities prior to moving to the Atwater community in 1974. Elaine enjoyed her life as a stay-at-home mom and homemaker. Later, she worked as a secretary at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater and provided childcare for friends' children and her grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, taking pictures, traveling (especially to the family farm up north and their yearly winter trips to Texas) and being with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Elaine will be remembered for her strong faith, undying love and devotion to her husband Bruce, and for her love for her family. Children truly brought her joy; her dream always was to be a mother. While she loved being a mom, she was overjoyed to be a grandma and great grandma.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bruce; three children, Lissa (and Mark) Borchert of Grove City, Steven (and Robin) Wothe of Atwater and Susan (and Dominic) Popowski of Maynard; fourteen grandchildren, Miranda & (Mark) Johnson, Erica Borchert, Carson Borchert, Hunter Gronli, Brooke Gronli, Trey Wothe, Brandon Wothe, Bella Wothe, Adrion Wothe, Marshall Wothe, Dominique Popowski, Ladislia Popowski, Henry Popowski, Bob Popowski and one great granddaughter, Nora Sophia Johnson. Also surviving is one brother, besides many cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Milton.