Elaine Ann Bartol

Elaine Ann Bartol

Elaine Ann Bartol, age 87, passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Peppi’s House in Tucson, Arizona. Elaine was born February 28, 1937, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, to John and Ann (née Dolata) Graczkowski. She married Donald L. Bartol, son of Edward J. and Gladys (née Hoffman) Bartol, on October 29, 1955, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During their marriage, they called many places “home”: they moved first to California, and then to Alaska, following Donald’s Army assignments. Upon his discharge, they chose to settle back in Wisconsin on a farm in the Village of Sussex, where they began raising their six children. Taking the opportunity to grow their farming operation, they then moved to Richfield, Wisconsin, in 1968. After fifteen years in Richfield, they were ready for a less stressful lifestyle and moved to Elfrida, Arizona, giving up their large farming operation for a much smaller one. Elaine spent most of the last forty-one years of her life calling Elfrida “home,” even after she and Donald retired from farming. She could often be found playing cards at the community center, working as a “lunch lady” at the local school system, or working at a number of local businesses over the years.

During her lifetime, Elaine was a woman of many diverse interests. She enjoyed word searches, baking, cooking, and reading. She had a bit of a sweet tooth and really enjoyed Swedish Fish and black licorice. She loved listening to country music—with a special place in her heart reserved for Willie Nelson—and she just adored Elvis Presley. She was heavily into astrology and even crafted horoscopes for her immediate family. Passionate about plants, she always raised a big garden and always had lots of flowers around. She always had a hummingbird feeder and was fascinated by these small creatures. But it was her family that was most important to her. Whether it was spending time with her family or perusing Facebook to keep up with those family members farther away, her family was always her top priority. In true Elaine fashion, she waited to pass on until she heard that her eighteenth great-grandchild had arrived. It was only after she heard that both baby and mother were doing well—having gone into labor a week early—did she pass on peacefully that same day.

The love Elaine had for her family can only be matched by the love they had for her in return. She will be remembered for her kindness; her sense of humor (her laugh!); her nickname, Mouse (a family inside joke); and her food. She liked to dip her toast and cookies in coffee—something some of her grandkids thought was disgusting until growing up and finding that Grandma was right and now find themselves doing the same thing. She had many recipes she enjoyed and shared with the family over the years: a chocolate cake recipe that the family will always think of as “Mom’s” and “Grandma’s” chocolate cake, and an unforgettable cherry and blueberry torte, which made its appearance every July 4th—just too many to list them all here, but all very much loved and used to this day. Above all, though, she will be remembered for the love she held for her family. She had a way of engaging with the person she was talking to, so the other person knew that they were listened to, not just heard. She made each and every one of her family members feel special and loved. Love, family, and food: no matter where Mom lived, when you would visit, it always felt like you were coming home.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Bartol of Elfrida, Arizona; her six children: Donald (Brenda) Bartol, Jr. of Elfrida, Arizona; Kenneth (Jill) Bartol of Slinger, Wisconsin; Lori (David) Przybylski of Hartford, Wisconsin; Amy Marshalek of Slinger, Wisconsin; Allan Bartol of Arizona City, Arizona; and Lynda (Randy) Kreger of Show Low, Arizona; her 14 grandchildren; her 18 great-grandchildren; her brother Richard (Debra) Graczkowski; her sister-in-law Judy Grazckowski; her brother-in-law Jerry Long; and her many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Tina; her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law; her siblings: Delores Tucker, Carol Long, John Graczkowski, and Donald Grazckowski; her sister-in-law, Sandra Grazckowski; and her son-in-law, William Marshalek, Jr.

The Bartol family would like to thank the staff at Tucson Medical Center and Peppi’s House for their compassion, care, and support during her final days here on Earth. Elaine, may God accept your soul and may you forever live on in the hearts of the ones you touched.