Elaine Schleis, age 100, passed away Thursday, November 6, 2025, at The Independence House in Lincoln, Nebraska.  She was born on March 14, 1925, at home on a farm near Exeter, Nebraska to John and Elsie (Slepicka) Tesar.

Elaine graduated from Milligan High School with the Class of 1942, after which she taught school for three years in Fillmore and Saline Counties. She worked at the Java Inn in Wilber for two years where she met Milo Schleis. A courtship ensued, and they were married on October 8, 1947.

Elaine is survived by daughters and sons in law: Janelle and Michael Fitzgerald and Jeanine and Roger Janssen, sisters: Darlene Beranek, Delyte Ahlschwede, Vicki Tesar, brothers: Johnnie (Shorty) Tesar and Rene Tesar, sisters in law: Marjory (Marge) Tesar and Judy Tesar, grandchildren: Brian (Robin) Fitzgerald, Eileen (Bobby) Grothe, Gene (DeEmma) Fitzgerald, Jerad and Darin Janssen, great grandchildren: Milo and Wren Fitzgerald, Kayla Fitzgerald and Gage Grothe and great great grandchild: Krew Palmesano, numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Milo, parents: John and Elsie Tesar, brothers: LaVern Tesar and Larry Tesar, sisters in law: Juliann (Julie) Tesar, Virginia (Ginny) Prieber, Mary Schleis, Elisabeth Schleis, Marguerite Engel, brothers in law: Jerry Beranek, Keith Ahlschwede, Wencil Schleis and Warren Schleis, nieces: Susan Tesar and Holly Sunderman and nephews: Jay Beranek and Alvin Dvorak.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber, Nebraska with visitation beginning at noon. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed via https://evt.live/elaine-schleis-service.

Memorials in care of the family to Wilber Fire and Rescue.

Arrangements entrusted to Kuncl Funeral Home in Wilber.