Elaine Thompson-Stecker

Elaine R. Thompson-Stecker (nee Frederiksen), 91 of Crystal Lake, died April 28,2012, at her home.She was born March 30,1921, in Chicago, to the late Charles and Lillian Frederiksen, and was raised in Logansport, IN.She married her first husband of 46 years, the late Reynald Thompson, and joined her second husband, Joe Stecker (a 35-year employee of Motorola) in 1993.Elaine was a loyal Motorolan, who worked at the old Augusta plant during WWII.Mr. Thompson worked at Motorola for 42 years and Elaine helped him with many of his activities.She went on to be one of the original tour guides hired for the Motorola Museum of Electronics.She retired in 1996, and is a lifetime member of the Motorola Retirees Club.Elaine lectured on millinery and taught millinery at Arlington Heights High School.She was a former clerk of the Village of Barrington Hills, and a former member of the Barrington Chapter of Lyric Opera, the Barrington Book Review Club, Women of the Moose #500 Harvard Lodge, and the Barrington Woman’s Club.For many years she raised and showed AKC registered Kerry Blue Terriers;many of which were champions.Elaine was also a mid-wife to numerous litters of puppies.In addition to her husband, Joe, Elaine is survived by her children, Donald (Delani) Thompson and Janet (Martin) Cassell; grandchildren, Thomas (JoAnn) and Elaine Cassell; and great-granddaughters, Natalie Deike and Maya Cassell.In addition to her first husband and parents, Elaine is preceded in death by her sister, Doris (Ernst) Pultz.Services will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Elaine's name may be made to the Hospice Foundation of Northeastern Illinois, 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, IL 60010,www.hospiceanswers.org or 224-770-2590.

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