Elise Francine Sklenar

A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Elise Francine Sklenar, nee Verhulst, was born in Brussels, Belgium on August 18, 1928, and died peacefully on December 30, 2012, at Inova Fairfax Hospital. She passed away surrounded by her immediate family and friends.

Elise is survived by her husband of 56 years, Frederick F. Sklenar, and their two daughters, Nicole M.-A. Engel (wife of Richard A. Engel) of Charlotte, NC, and Jacqueline C. S. Shaffer (wife of Alan R. Shaffer) of Burke, VA. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Teresa E. Engel, Robert C. Engel, and Eric A. Shaffer. Elise is survived by family in Belgium as well: a nephew Charly Verhulst and his wife, Annie Verhulst-VanBelle; and two grand-nieces, Olivia Prada-Verhulst and her husband Luis, and Lucrece Merckx-Verhulst and her husband Christian, son Keno, and daughter Xenia. Further, Elise is survived by special long-time family friends, Joan and Thomas Dugan, who were like her own daughter and son.

Elise was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Marie Verhulst-Borsy, and brother, Isadore Verhulst.

Elise’s remains were cremated and will be inurned at the Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium at a date to be determined. Ceremony details for final placement of the urn at Arlington National Cemetery will be provided in a future update to this announcement.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Elise F. Sklenar to the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Salvation Army-Portland,Oregon, or the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.

Elise was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.