Elaine Marie (Pacholek) Knoedler

Elaine Marie (nee Pacholek)  Knoedler, age 74 of Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2022 at Crystal Pines Rehab Facility.  Elaine was born at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, Illinois on August 25, 1947.  Longtime resident of McHenry County, Elaine most recently lived at Congress Parkway Apartments in Crystal Lake.

She attended St. Richard’s Grammar School and Lourdes High School on Chicago’s southwest side and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University.  An avid athlete, Elaine loved sports and enjoyed reading, gardening and entertaining.  After having lived in Lisle, Illinois Elaine moved to upstate New York before finally settling with her beloved husband, Tom in Cary, Illinois.  After Tom’s death from cancer in 2005, Elaine moved to Crystal Lake.

Elaine was a loving wife and step-mother, caring sister and aunt, great-aunt, and cousin.  She cared well for her line of shelter cats, adopting the most at-risk of them.  She was a creative and talented flower designer.  She believed that Christmas should be celebrated well and not just in December.  A true woman of faith, Elaine prayed often.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband Thomas Knoedler, parents William and Mary (Majerczak) Pacholek.  She is survived by her brother Ken (Julianne), nephew Matthew and niece Gretchen, great-nephew Nathaniel Pacholek, step-children Jeff and Cheryl Knoedler, and many cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to JourneyCare Hospice or Assisi Animal Foundation.  There will be a celebration of Elaine’s life on July 21st at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2107 Three Oaks Rd, Cary , with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM and concluding with a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM.  Interment will follow at Windridge Memorial Park.

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