Elaine Kozeliski

Elaine Borg Kozeliski, 82, followed her husband Tom to Heaven on March 9, 2024, due to renal failure, three short days after his passing. As a recipient of her son’s kidney in 2006, she lived life to its fullest for an additional 17 years. Her final days were filled with love and laughter while she was surrounded by her daughters, their husbands, and her grandchildren who loved her so dearly.

Elaine was born in Oak Park, Illinois on September 28, 1941 to June Edith Hull and Elroy Daniel Borg. Elaine moved to Wooster Lake, IL in the 3rd grade. She was a 1959 graduate of Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, IL. She attended Iowa State College (now University) in Ames, IA and pledged Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. At Iowa State she met her future husband, Thomas Francis Kozeliski. In 1961, Elaine became a flight attendant for United Airlines and was based in Washington, D.C. She married Tom in 1962 and they had three children together (Kim Ann, Craig Michael and Kristen Lynn). Elaine and Tom lived all over the world; they relocated over 30 times and called home places such as Dover, DE, Omaha, NE; Hawaii, Jackson, MS; Peoria, IL; Brimfield, IL; Geneva, Switzerland; Decatur, IL; Hong Kong; Singapore; Jakarta, Indonesia; Morton, IL; Fairfield Bay, AR; Greenville, SC and Bluffton/Sun City, SC. Elaine proudly stated that they preferred to move rather than “spring clean”.

Elaine was an active volunteer for St. Jude Children’s Hospital following her son’s diagnosis of leukemia in 1972. She was a “Special Ed” teacher’s aide before starting a career in the Insurance business. After working for American Family Insurance in Peoria, IL, Elaine retired from Hawk Insurance Agency in 2000. Elaine was a dedicated member of Beta Sigma Phi Charitable Sorority. She loved socializing, shopping, planning parties, playing “matchmaker” during her travels, and making “Chocolate Mints” for weddings, holidays and special occasions.

Most recently, she and her husband were residents of Sun City Hilton Head and enjoyed the beautiful backyard view from their home during their final days. Being married almost 62 years, the two were only separated on Earth for 3 days when Elaine followed Tom to Heaven.

Elaine was predeceased by her parents, Edith and Elroy Borg, her brother, Daniel Hull Borg, her son, Craig Michael Kozeliski and her husband, Thomas Francis Kozeliski.

Left to honor her memory are her daughters: Kim (Thomas) Wickert of Greenville, SC and Kristen (Jeffrey) Katula of Clemmons, NC, as well as her grandchildren: Hannah (Andrew) Cave, Samuel Wickert; Grace and Joseph Kozeliski; and Khloe Laine, Caden Thomas, and Kyle Louis Katula.

Kim and Kristen would like to extend special thanks to Leticia (“Lety”) Cuata who provided invaluable care, assistance, and genuine love and affection for Tom and Elaine and made their last few years as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

A Funeral Mass to remember both Thomas and Elaine will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 828 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa on June 17, 2024 at 9:00 am. Interment of ashes immediately following at Oakland Cemetery, Centerville. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. A memorial fund has been created to facilitate the process by using the following link: http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/Koz