Elsie Marie (Prosek) Stetzer, age 98 of Eau Claire, died on October 2, 2011, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, WI. Elsie was born June 7, 1913, in Hurley, WI to George and Mary (Gutekunst) Prosek. She graduated from Lincoln High School, Hurley, WI in 1931 and later graduated from Dr. Martin Luther Teacher's College, New Ulm, MN in 1935. Elsie was a teacher at St. Paul Lutheran School, Bangor, WI for two years. Also substitute taught for the Bangor Public Schools. She was united in marriage to Richard William Stetzer of Bangor on August 12, 1937, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hurley, WI. She lived in Bangor, WI until 1952 when the family moved to Eau Claire, WI. Her faith, family, and friends were most important to her. She was a Sunday School teacher, choir director, and church organist for 58 years. She enjoyed family get-togethers and was always interested in what her grandchildren and great-grandchildren (who always called her "GG") were doing. She was a great bowler and loved playing cards. Elsie is survived by her two daughters, Joan Bandt, Eau Claire and Peg Kopp, Eau Claire; her son, Ken (Marilyn), Eau Claire; five grandchildren, Bill (Teddi) Bandt, Palmdale, CA, Christopher Bandt, Pacific Palisades, CA, Michael Kopp, Aurora, CO, Matt Kopp, Eau Claire, and MacKenzie Stetzer, Bangor, ME; six great-grandchildren, Rebecca Bandt, San Diego, CA, Hans Bandt, Palmdale, CA, Billy Bandt, Palmdale, CA, Colby Tiefenthaler, Eau Claire, Ellie Kopp, Eau Claire, and Kaitlyn Kopp, Eau Claire; brother, Walt Prosek, Zellwood, FL; two sisters-in-law, Inez Stetzer, Holmen, WI and Marion Stetzer, La Crosse, WI; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Elsie was preceded in death by parents, George and Mary Prosek; husband, Richard "Dick"; son-in-law, Paul Kopp; sister, Ann Meyer; and brothers, George, Art, Len, and Carl Prosek. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to St. Mark Lutheran Church, School, or the Choir Fund. Special thanks to the St. Mark pastors for their visits and spiritual care. Thanks also to the people of Dove Healthcare West, St. Joseph's Hospice Care, and Sacred Heart Hospital who provided health care and kindness to our mother. We also thank everyone who visited our mom during her stay at Dove Healthcare. Mom greatly appreciated those visits and so did her children. The time and effort you expended and the concern you showed will always be warmly remembered. Funeral Service will be at 12pm on Friday, October 7, 2011, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 3307 State Street Eau Claire, with Pastor Herb Prahl officiating. Visitation will be from 10am to 12pm at church. Interment will be in Rest Haven Cemetery, town of Washington.
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