Elaine Dorothy Sheehan

Elaine D. Sheehan, 80, of Eau Claire, passed away on Monday, July 10, 2017, at River Pines Nursing Home under Hospice Care. Elaine was born January 10, 1937, in Eau Claire, WI, to the late Ernest and Marcella (Sherpy) Mai. She graduated from Regis High School in 1955 and then worked for Hovlands Sheet Metal as a bookkeeper. While at Fournier’s Dance Hall one evening, she meet the love of her life, a U.S. Army Soldier from Modena, WI, named James Sheehan. He picked her up off the floor, and the rest was history. They married shortly afterwards on June 22, 1957, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eau Claire and left for the military life. Elaine accompanied James to his many duty stations including: Alaska, California and Wisconsin before they returned back to Eau Claire to raise their children. Elaine enjoyed many hobbies including building jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, working crossword puzzles, knitting mittens and scarves, crocheting blankets for the church bizarre raffle, and making Christmas ornaments for her grandkids. She was also a huge soap opera junky, watching Days of Our Lives every day, from the very first episode. In addition, she was an avid Green Bay Packer Fan! She never missed a game, and always looked forward to traveling to Green Bay to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders with her boys. She also had a heart-felt passion for her God and Church; attending weekly Mass, preparing the usher’s schedule, helping to distribute Communion as a Eucharist Minister, and working at the annual church bizarre dinners and weekly bingo. Elaine had the biggest heart and loved children. In addition to raising her eleven children, she also babysat for over 80 children in her lifetime. She often referred to herself as, “The Little Old Lady that Lived in a Shoe.” Elaine is survived by her ten children, Gloria of Eau Claire, Mark (Lori) of Eau Claire, Ernest (Deb) of Hastings, MN, Kristine (Robert) Staats of Eau Claire, Michael of Altoona, Daniel (Tanya) of Eau Claire, Timothy (Chris) of Eau Claire, Andrew (Sherri) of Altoona, Joseph (Amy) of Niceville, FL, and Matthew (Melody) of Chippewa Falls; fourteen grandchildren, Brianna (Matt) Fedie of Eau Claire, Christopher (Becca) Staats of Eau Claire, Stevie (Rob Presswood) Staats of Eau Claire, Kurtis (Stephani) Staats of Chippewa Falls, Nathaniel (Alicia) Sheehan of West Point, NY, Megan Sheehan of Eau Claire, Evangeline (Mike Trubshaw) Sheehan of Eau Claire, Emily Swoboda of Eau Claire, Amber (Terry Zillmer) Sheehan of Eau Claire, Katelyn Sheehan of Eau Claire, Seth and Trent Sheehan of Niceville, FL, and Abigail and Riley Sheehan of Chippewa Falls; eight great-grandchildren, James and Kelsie Fedie of Eau Claire, Elizabeth and Ethan Sheehan of New York, Payton and Parker (Staats) Presswood of Eau Claire, and Kennedy and Brigham Staats of Chippewa Falls; one sister, Sr. Monica Mai of MN; two brothers, Richard and Dennis Mai of WI; and her special, little buddy, Evan Swoboda. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; son, Paul; parents, Ernest and Marcella Mai; and sister, Mary Ann Bluem. She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Babysitter and will be dearly missed by all her family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 14, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 416 N. Dewey St, Eau Claire, with Father George Thayilkuzhithottu officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at the WEST CHAPEL location of Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave, with a Prayer Vigil beginning at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be one hour prior to Mass on Friday at the church. Inurnment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery at a later date. ***Wednesday and Friday are the correct dates of service to accommodate family members***

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