Born in Germany she immigrated to the United States in 1975. She moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1977. Elke was a passionate advocate for abused women and children. She volunteered and worked as an advocate and helped provide services for domestic violence victims and their families in the Las Vegas Community for many years. She is survived by her daughter Gabriele Gerlach and partner Michael Bishop, her sister, Johanna Gillies Smith and many nieces and nephews. Services will be private.
