Elke Marianne Wilson

Elke Marianne Wilson of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, at the age of 77, with loved ones by her side. She was born on September 18, 1947, in Heidelberg, Germany to Marga and Wilhelm Hofacker. She is survived by her three children, Janney (Andreas) Orth, Dwight (Tracey) Wilson, and Glenn (Libby) Wilson; two granddaughters Christina Wilson and Olivia Wilson; two brothers Werner (Yvonne) Hofacker and Thomas (Doris) Hofacker; a nephew Leander Hofacker, a niece Jella Hofacker; and a cousin Reiner (Elizabeth) Dummert.

Elke was raised in Germany. Her father was a baker and she helped out with the family bakery in Heidelberg until she married in 1967 and moved away from Germany to the United States. She said her life changed when she became a mother to three children. She really took her responsibility seriously and was concerned about caring well for her children. She had many questions and was eager to learn the truth about the future and what happens at death. When living in Killeen, Texas, she began to study the Bible. It took a lot of effort and patience since she was learning English at the same time. She would read everything first in German and then again in English. She grew to love her Heavenly Father and appreciate his promises for the future so much that she dedicated her life to serve him and was baptized on September 14, 1973.

The family moved several times throughout the years, from Texas to Germany to Kansas to New Jersey. Finally in 1991 she and her children moved to North Carolina and she, Dwight, and Glenn began attending the Hawthorne congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In September 2010, after she was able to retire from her secular work driving for the City of Charlotte, she decided to begin regular pioneering, devoting her time to volunteering in the ministry, helping others to learn about the promises in the Bible. With a growing Burmese population in the Charlotte area, Elke joined a language class to learn the Burmese language in 2017 and has been enjoying speaking to many in the Burmese community, studying with ones and helping them to learn about the God she loves and the future she looks forward to.

Elke loved life. She loved her family and having them all together for dinner. She especially enjoyed doting on her granddaughters. She enjoyed visiting the mountains and taking hikes. Her favorite spot was Hendersonville, North Carolina, and loved to take brief trips there with Olivia. She was looking forward to traveling back to Germany to visit with the rest of her family. She also enjoyed spending time with her many friends in the congregation, even going on bicycle rides with them around town.

Elke was known for her good cooking, her love of people, her giving spirit, her strong faith and her sense of humor. She set an excellent example in Christian living. Everyone remembers her smile and that she was such a good friend. She will be dearly missed by so many.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Campbell Creek Congregation, 5980 Monroe Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28212. Zoom tie-in will also be available (Zoom Meeting ID: 920 803 0171; Password: 112233)