Elizabeth I. Shulke

MASON CITY Elizabeth I. Shulke of Bonita Springs, Florida, died Friday (September 17, 2010) at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 20, 2010 at 1:30 P.M., at First Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Pierce Avenue, Mason City, with the Rev. Paul Collier officiating. Interment will take place Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 10:30 A.M., at Graceland Cemetery in Decatur, Illinois. Visitation will be held Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd Street, SE, Mason City, Iowa. Elizabeth Irene DeWolfe was born in Assumption, Illinois, on January 15, 1919, daughter of William R. and Sarah Marie (Reber) DeWolfe. She graduated from Stephen Decatur High School and Brown Business School, both in Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Shulke married Robert R. Shulke on February 14, 1942. They made their home in Decatur, Illinois, and had three daughters Jeanne, Diane and Nancy. Mrs. Shulke and her husband bought a condominium in Bonita Springs, Florida in 1978 and divided their time between Decatur, Illinois and Florida. In 1994, they moved permanently to their Florida residence. He preceded her in death on March 16, 1995. Over the years, their Florida home became a gathering spot for family visits. Mrs. Shulke treasured time with her family, children, grandchildren, and more recently, greatgrandchildren. For over fifty years, Mrs. Shulke enjoyed a passion for duplicate bridge. She became a Diamond Life Master (over 5,000 points), a remarkable achievement that is earned by few. She taught bridge and directed duplicate bridge games in Decatur, Illinois. Mrs. Shulke took lessons from bridge authority Charles Goren and played at numerous national tournaments with some of the great names in bridge. Mrs. Shulke loved to travel. She and her husband traveled extensively around the world during their retirement. After her husbands death, she did a number of bridgeoriented international trips. Mrs. Shulke is survived by her daughters, Jeanne Blackman and her husband Bill Weitekamp of Fort Myers, Florida; Diane and her husband Bruce Trimble of Mason City, Iowa; and Nancy Tremmel and her husband David Kremsdorf of Centerville, Minnesota. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jeff Blackman and wife Laura DeBruce of Chevy Chase, Maryland; Stephanie Blackman Ballard and husband Andy of London, England; Ann Trimble of New York, New York; Susan Trimble of Mason City, Iowa; Jennifer Tremmel and husband Chris Wachlin of Redwood City, California; and Nick Tremmel and wife Michelle of Grand Haven, Michigan; her greatgrandchildren Luke Blackman; Nathanial, Joshua, Benjamin, Jessica and Quentin Ballard; She is also survived by her sister Frances DeWolfe of Decatur, Illinois,and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Shulke was preceded in death by her husband Robert R. Shulke, sister, Ethel Wickell, and brothers Ralph DeWolfe and Warren DeWolfe.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of North Iowa, 232 2nd Street, SE, Mason City, Iowa.

Cemetery:
Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, Illinois

Visitation:
5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday at Major Erickson Funeral Home

Service:
1:30 PM Monday at First Presbyterian Church