Elaine Marie Marnholtz (73) passed away with family by her side on January 15th, 2025 after a short battle with cancer. Born July 31st, 1951, Elaine grew up in Wonewoc, WI. She graduated from Wonewoc High School in 1969. Elaine was employed at Mitchell Metal Products for 26 years, and retired in 2013. Elaine married her high school sweetheart, Steven Johnson with whom she had her four children. After her husband Steven passed away (October 14, 1980), Elaine moved to Tomahawk WI. She met her second love, Brian Marnholtz, New Year’s Eve 1983 and they were married on November 3rd 1984 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill WI.
Always the life of the party, Elaine and Brian started a karaoke business called Mystic Fever Karaoke and brought so many people together. They spent much of their time camping up north in Hayward WI with their pets. Here, they met many lifelong friends. When Brian took the fishing boat out, Elaine was always in back snapping pictures of sunsets and wildlife and listening for loons. She loved to watch the snow fall and “crunch around”. If you knew her you know what that means. Anyone who knew Elaine knew what a treasure she was. Simply, she was sweet and she was funny. She loved to laugh and make people laugh. She invented her own goofy language with her siblings and passed it along to her children and grandchildren. She danced and sang through life, and loved to the fullest. She loved to read, do puzzles and loved to listen to Classic Country. She also loved to cook and bake. She made the best chocolate cake. She loved to play cards with her in-laws. Elaine sang in a band and also enjoyed playing the bass guitar. She had the great honor of meeting her idol, Loretta Lynn. Above all, Elaine loved her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her greatest treasures. She and Brian loved to travel to watch them at their various sporting events and hated to miss an opportunity to cheer them on.
Elaine was proceeded in death by her parents Esther Short (Conway) and Harvey Short, her first husband Steven Johnson, and siblings Jim, Bob, Bud, Maggie, Lester, Elna, Tom, Roy, Alice, Harry, Delores. She is survived by her husband, of 40 years, Brian, siblings Mary Dominguez, Judy Steenblock, Harvey Short, Warren Short, Roger Short. She also leaves behind sons Steven Johnson Jr. (Shelly), Andrew Johnson, and daughters Ann Johnson-Lambert (Aaron), and Amy Johnson (Eric), 10 grandchildren Steven, Khrystyna, Nikki, Lucas, Colton, Schae, John, Austin, Hunter and Dawson, 14 great grandchildren, many in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved.
The family would like to thank, family friend, Stacy Weinberger-Jach for helping make her transition as comfortable as possible and Elaine’s Sister In-Law, Kelly Martello, for everything she has done for the family. We would also like to thank Compassus Hospice Care.
A Celebration of Life will be held May 17, 2025, from 11am to 4pm at the Agra Pavilion in Merrill, WI. 404 S. Park St Merrill, WI 54452 Donations can be made in Elaine’s honor to: Lincoln County Humane Society 310 N Memorial Dr Merrill WI 54452 Cards and well wishes may be sent to 1901 W. Main St Merrill, WI 54452
Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.
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