Elaine Margaret Meyer Thurston, age 93,  of  Dubuque , passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Arlington, Wisconsin.  To celebrate Elaine’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., on Monday, February 3, 2025, at the Church of the Resurrection, 4300 Asbury Road.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the church, with  Msgr. James Miller officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting Elaine’s family.

Elaine was born on March 25, 1931, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Margaret (Schadle) Baker.

Elaine was a graduate of the Academy of the Visitation, Class of 1949.  She married Ronald  E. Meyer on  January 27, 1951, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  Ron and Elaine had 7 children and celebrated 40 wonderful years together before Ron sadly passed away on March 28, 1991.

Elaine would once again find love and would marry Joseph Thurston on November 6, 200,5 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  They had 13 years together before Joe passed away on January 12, 2019.

Elaine was a devoted wife and mom who also worked at Klauer Manufacturing Company as a Machine Operator. She was a member of the International Association of Machinists Union.  She later went to work in sales with J.C. Penney, retiring in 2004.

She was very active with St. Mary’s Parish and volunteered in the hot lunch program.  While the children were involved in scouting, Elaine volunteered with both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts.  She avidly followed the children’s sports and was a regular at every game or meet.  Elaine loved being in the great outdoors, and camping with the family during the summer was enjoyed by all.

Travel was by far a favorite activity for Elaine after her family was grown.  She traveled to Alaska, Ireland, the East Coast and even took a cruise through the Panama Canal.  In her younger years, Elaine enjoyed “cutting a rug” at Melody Mill, and singing along with all of her favorite songs. She was fiercely  competitive and especially enjoyed playing Bingo.  Elaine was an avid walker and also enjoyed curling up with a good book.

Elaine was a wonderful lady and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish Elaine’s memory include

2 sons,
James R. (Sharla) Meyer
and Joseph R. (Vicki) Meyer, both of  Dubuque, IA;

5 daughters,
Kathleen A. (Rodney) Miller, Hampshire, IL,
Barbra A. (Stephen) Jaeger, Dubuque, IA,
Julie K. (David) Hillery, Lancaster, WI,
Jill M. (Brett) Anderson, Sun Prairie, WI
and Amy J. (Robert) Buss, Arlington, WI;

16 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter;

a brother,
Jerry (Sherry) Baker, Holt, MI;

and several nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Ronald Meyer and Joseph Thurston; and 3 brothers, Richard, James and John Baker.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Amy for caring for Mom the last year and a half.
Also thanks to the Staff of Hospice of Dubuque for their care and concern.

Cards and memorials in Elaine’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Elaine Thurston Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com.