Elaine Marie Pionke, 93 of Hermitage passed away Friday September 8, 2023. Elaine was born in Steven’s Point, WI December 30, 1929 to Stephen and Mae Borchardt. Elaine spent her childhood in Wisconsin, living in Steven’s Point, Badger Village, Plover, and back to Steven’s Point where she graduated from high school.
Elaine met and married Donald E Pionke in 1951. Together they spent a lifetime traveling, first to Niagara Falls, then to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and through the United States. They enjoyed taking cruises to the Caribbean including a trip through the Panama Canal. Elaine enjoyed dancing, whether it was the 2 step, hops, jitterbug or polka. Often, she and Don would dance to the music of Lawrence Welk in their living room at home. She was a wonderful host, and often entertained friends and family, enjoying card games and time together. Elaine was known for her baking, and at Christmas would often bake 14-16 dozen cookies of 6 or 7 varieties, along with her apple pies. Her smile in the picture tells you how much she enjoyed baking! Elaine loved to fish too, and she holds the Pionke family record catching a 16 ½ pound rock fish on Percy Priest Lake. She enjoyed being a seamstress for the family, and made many clothes for her four young sons. She loved to bowl, making ceramic items, working in the school cafeteria, and being a realtor for over 20 years. She was also a football sports fan. She loved watching the University of Wisconsin, University of Tennessee, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, and recently the New York Jets (because of Aaron Rogers)!
Elaine is survived by her husband of 72 years, Donald E Pionke, sons; Mark Pionke, Matthew (Beverly) Pionke, Donald (Katherine) E. Pionke Jr. and Christopher (Cindy) Pionke, grandchildren; Michelle (Jeremy) McCaleb, John Pionke, Jason (Ciara) Pionke, Kate Pionke, Maranda (Jordan) Warner, Stephen (Lauren) Pionke, Steven (Kelly) Heath, Scottie (Amber) Heath, Bill (Courtney) Kraemer and Jake (Tara) Kraemer, great grandchildren Deven McCaleb, McKenna Pionke, Calliope Higgins, Ryder Pionke, Hunter Pionke, Zeppelin Fagg, Hudson Kraemer, Carson Kraemer, Camden Kraemer, Grant Kraemer, Clara Kraemer, Austin Heath, Angel Heath, David Heath, Dathan Heath, Dylin Heath, Riley Heath, Ethan Heath, Karleigh Heath, Adalynn Heath, Loralee Heath, Elora Heath, Caden May, and Landen Gregory.
A visitation will be held Friday September 22, 2023 at the Hibbett & Hailey Funeral Home 429 Donelson Pike, Nashville, TN from 6:00-8:00pm and from 9:00-10:00AM Saturday September 23, 2023 at the Church of the Holy Rosary, 192 Graylynn Dr Nashville. Mass will be held at 10:00AM followed by internment at Calvary Cemetery, Nashville, TN.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HibbettHaileyFH.com for the Pionke family.
