Anita D. Elwell

Anita Elwell, age 88, a resident of DeKalb, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. She was born June 27, 1937 in Palatine, Illinois, the second of three children born to Earl Lihme and Edna (Santa) Lihme. Anita went to schools in Palatine and Arlington Heights, Illinois, and also attended The University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas, majoring in home economics.

While attending college Anita would meet William Elwell, the love of her life, at the Union Train Station in Kansas City, Missouri. Though they both attended KU, Bill & Anita first met at this station through an introduction by their fathers Wilfred Elwell and Earl Lihme who both worked as engineers for AT&T in their Long Lines division. For Bill, Anita would become his special “little red-haired girl” with whom he would live a loving and dedicated marriage of 65 years (1956-2021). Anita was a loving and devoted wife and mother whose family meant everything to her. Birthdays, holidays, sports events, mom was always there doing something special for her family.

Anita was also dedicated to Christ and His Church. Though Anita had been brought up in the Lutheran tradition, Bill & Anita were both saved, “born again”, while attending a Bible study with friends early in their marriage. This “salvation by faith in Christ alone” concept based on Ephesians 2:8 would then become the guiding principle in their faith from then on. Then, after that transformative moment of decision, throughout the rest of her wonderful life Anita faithfully served her Lord Jesus Christ through various roles, concluding her many years of service as the secretary of Wheaton Evangelical Free Church. This was a role she truly loved, where her wonderful personality, natural talent for organization, and powerful indwelling of the Holy Spirit could shine forth most fully.

Through both her naturally sunny disposition and her walk with the Holy Spirit, Anita was an excellent example of “The Proverbs 31 Woman”, that part of her Christian walk that perfected her into the wonderful wife and mother that she was:

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.

(Proverbs 3:13-18, 31:10-11, KJV)

Anita also served her local community in many ways. She enjoyed volunteering, helping the elderly through the Meals on Wheels service in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In 2006, Anita was recognized for many years of dedicated service volunteering at the Butterfield School Library in unincorporated Lombard, Illinois. After retirement, Anita and Bill moved to Oak Crest Retirement Center in DeKalb, Illinois, the last chapter of the adventure they would share. Anita’s love of serving her community and making friends through volunteer work then continued for many years at Oak Crest until she passed away on March 11, 2026, a good and faithful servant until the end.

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Anita is now with her beloved Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, reunited once again with her loving husband Bill whom she had dearly missed. Anita will also be dearly missed until we are all reunited once again through Christ in Heaven (John 3:16). She is survived by her sons Geoffrey and Douglas Elwell. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Elwell, who went home to be with the Lord on October 25, 2021.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. The burial service will start at 1:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Gardens West in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to The Compass Church Missions, Attn: Finance Department, 2244 W. 95th Street, Suite 300, Naperville, IL 60564