Elise Flaherty, age 92, of Wheaton, Il. passed away suddenly early Thursday morning, January 25. Elise was the wife of Joseph Flaherty, mother of Michael (Wendy Foote), Suzanne (Jeff Ramirez), John (Maureen Rork) and Brian.  She was the grandmother of Jennifer, Emily, Steven, Lauren and Ryan. She also recently became the great grandmother of Daniel. She was the sister of John and Daniel.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph, her infant brother John, and her granddaughter Jennifer.

Elise was born in Dubuque, Iowa on Sept. 26, 1931, to Olivette Ryder and John Welter. Elise was raised in Dubuque, Platteville and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as well as Boston, near Fenway Park. The family moved around following her father's career in the Meat and Grocery business. Elise graduated from Holy Angels Academy and Mount Mary College in Milwaukee where she was an Elementary Education Major. She secured her first teaching position with the Milwaukee Public Schools. A year later, she moved to the Boston area, following another move by her parents, and taught in the Quincy school system. It is there that she might fellow teacher and lifelong friend Virginia (Boyle) Hoynes who introduced her to her fiancé's friend and roommate, Joe Flaherty. Joe and Elise met at Virginia and Jim's wedding in New York. A few months later, in 1959, they were married (They were married for 58 years).

Shortly after marrying, they moved to the Los Angeles area where Joe pursued his sales career. Elise worked for the L.A. school system as an Elementary teacher in the Watts neighborhood. Elise was able to use some of her Spanish Speaking skills in this school that she had learned in college with the many new migrant students. Joe and Elise also started their family while in L.A. Starting in 1961, Michael was born, followed by Suzanne, and then John. In 1965, Joe accepted a transfer, and they gladly moved the family back to the Midwest whom they were both homesick for. Joe and Elise settled in Winfield, where they stayed for over 50 years. Shortly after moving to Winfield, Brian was born. In a few years, after all the children had started school, Elise resumed her teaching career. She went to work for Wheaton Warrenville School District 200 where she worked for 35 years. Elise also worked part time in the Summer as a reading tutor for kids that had reading challenges. She also gave her own kids a head start in learning how to read before starting school.

During her spare time, Elise was active in her younger days with the Winfield Junior Women's club, raising money for the March of Dimes. She was also active in the PTA and St. John's Parish Council.  During her summer vacations, she enjoyed Reading on her sunny patio, Shopping for fashions in the local ladies' stores of Wheaton & Glen Ellyn and chauffeuring her kids to Swimming Lessons and other activities.  She was a huge fan of Wheaton North Athletics and was always supportive of all her kid's activities.

She also enjoyed travelling and eventually made it to Europe to visit her Luxembourger cousins. She was also able to visit her brother Dan at his various U.S. State Dept. Embassy assignments in Paris, Caracas, Venezuela., and Ottawa, Canada. She had a special place in her heart for  Cape Cod and loved to visit with her family there in Falmouth.

After retirement, as her physical abilities diminished, she enjoyed staying current on world events and loved to watch Football games. She continued to be an avid reader until her eyes started to decline a few years ago. She kept busy staying in touch with her kids & grandkids and was frequently visited by her children and brother Dan, who relocated to Wheaton to be near his sister in retirement after Joe had passed.

Elise stayed mentally sharp to the end. Even on her dying bed, she was drilling the medical personnel working on her with questions about their credentials and where they went to school. She truly had an inquiring mind.

Elise was blessed by many great friends and family that loved her. She returned the favor by being an outstanding mother, wife, and friend. We will miss her dearly.  Rest in Peace Elise.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Funeral Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. from Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for mass at 10:30 a.m. Interment Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.