Elaine S. Schiro

Obituary

Elaine Sylvia Schiro was born on March 17, 1930, at home on the farm in Grafton Township, rural Stewart, Minnesota. She was the daughter of William and Esther (Schulz) Bethke. Elaine was baptized as an infant on March 24, 1930, and confirmed in her faith as a youth on July 4, 1943, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. She received her education at District 59 in rural Stewart.

On November 5, 1950, Elaine was united in marriage to Marvin Schiro at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. This marriage was blessed with three children, Sharon, Susan, and Randy. Elaine and Marvin made their home on the farm in rural Cosmos, Minnesota. They retired from farming in 1979, and moved into Cosmos. Elaine and Marvin had shared 41 years of marriage when Marvin passed away on October 19, 1992.

As a young child, Elaine worked outdoors with her Dad with horses and tractors. She loved being at home with their children, and working on the farm helping her husband, Pat. She was employed at 3M in Hutchinson, Minnesota, until 1950. Elaine was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Cosmos, and served on the Altar Guild. She belonged to Home Extension. Elaine also spent nine years as the 4-H Leader of the Cosmos Comets. She showed flowers, crafts, and vegetables in open class at the Meeker County Fair.

Elaine enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, tending to her garden, and collecting rocks from her travels. She also enjoyed quilting and crafting. Elaine especially cherished time spent with her family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

When she needed more assistance with her daily cares, Elaine moved to the Ecumen Pines in Hutchinson in 2014, before moving to Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson in 2021. She passed away there on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at the age of 95 years.

Blessed be her memory.

Elaine is survived by her:
Children, Sharon Horky and her husband, Glenn of Marshall, MN,
Susan Kurth and her husband, LeRoy of Stewart, MN,
Randy Schiro and his wife, Judy of Cosmos, MN;
Grandchildren, Ryan Horky, Kristine (Toby) Knopp, Kari (David) Swanson, Michael (Kacie) Kurth, Kathy Kurth, Matthew (Kelly) Kurth, Andrea (Jeremy) Thole, Amber (Michael) Holle, Aaron Schiro (Delisa Grahn);
23 Great-grandchildren;
Siblings, Elsie Johnson, Wilbert Bethke, Larry Bethke, Delvin Bethke;
Sisters-in-law, Roslyn Bethke, Judy Bethke, Barbara Bethke;
many other relatives and friends.

Elaine is preceded in death by her Mother, Esther Bethke; Father and Stepmother, William and Sophie Bethke; Husband, Marvin Schiro; Great-grandchild, Grace Horky in infancy; Siblings, Lovie (Walter) Borman, Geraldine (Elmer) Schlueter, Eileen (Grant) Knutson, Vernhold Bethke, Darvin Bethke, Delbert Bethke; Siblings-in-law, Art (Marion) Schiro), Esther (Art) Anderson, Ed (Violet) Schiro, Selma (Harry) Bipes, Violet (Clarence) Lietzau, Eleanora (Ervin) Kutzke, Lillie (Earl) Rusch.