Elinore Covelli (1921-2015)

Elinore M. Covelli, the matriarch of the Covelli and Vidakovic family joined her husband and dance partner Jerry O. in Heaven on July 3, 2015.   Born in Racine, Wisconsin on July 13, 1921, she was the oldest of three daughters of Marko and Helen Vidakovic.  She graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary, St. Catherines High, and at the age of 62, GTC with an associate degree in Food Service.

During World War II she worked for the US Treasury Department in Chicago; the first president of the Ace Hardware; and as a riveter and welder (“Rosie the Riveter”) making fighter and bomber planes at Mills Industries in Chicago.  Her name is etched in the national monument to World War II veterans in Washington DC as a civilian honoree on the home front.

She returned to Racine in 1945 where she worked for G & H Company, Wisconsin Screw Co., and Massey-Harris.  On September 9, 1950, she married Jerry O. Covelli at Sacred Heart Church in Racine.  In 1951 they moved to Kenosha.   She was a stay-at-home mother who enjoyed taking her four daughters to parks, swimming lakes, for ice cream, and for rides in the country.

She was active with Columbus School PTA and the Democratic Party.  After her children grew up, she was a member and chairman of the Kenosha County statuary committee, chairman of the poll workers at District 12 Ward 23, special deputy to city clerk in bringing ballots to city nursing home residents, and a member of the Kenosha County Canvas board.  She was a life member of the VFW 1865 Ladies Auxiliary. After her graduation from GTC, she became a “Gastronomist Extraordinaire” critiquing restaurants.  She loved playing bingo, eating ice cream, dancing and traveling.

She is survived by her four daughters, Mary J. (Jay) Kovacik of Camp Douglas, Helen “Elli” M. Covelli of Dallas, Geri “Peady” (John) Sorensen of Somers, and Nancy K. Bose of Dallas.  She is also survived by her sister, Mary Demet of Racine, and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the following for their assistance and care of Elinore: Dr. Ellen Spiering and her staff at Aurora Medical Center; RN Sue Barta and Hospice Alliance; Melanie Antony of IRIS; NP Lisa Lockwood of Optum; and the caring staff at Brookside Care Center. They also want to extend their heartfelt thanks to past caregivers, Lucja Magonska, Diane Dettman, Jeweline Morris, and Donna Roemer, for their personal love and care to Elinore which allowed her to stay in her home longer.

In accordance with Elinore’s wishes, no funeral services will be held.  Donations to her church, Prayer House Assembly of God, in memory of Elinore would be appreciated.