Elsie M. Radowicz (nee Rumer)
November 21, 1939 - July 18, 2026
Obituary
DELAFIELD - Surrounded in the love of the Angels, our Lady and her family, Elsie M. Radowicz (nee Rumer) was taken to the Lord on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the age of 86. She was born on the feast of our Lady’s Presentation in the Temple - November 21, 1939 - in rural Grant County, W.Va. At the age of 19, Elsie enlisted in the United States Navy and served our country with love and devotion. While stationed at the Naval hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., Elsie met a handsome Navy boy, Arnold, and they began a relationship that would span six decades. Arnie was eventually transferred to Camp Lejeune, but made many trips down to Florida to see Elsie. During this time, Elsie took instruction from the base chaplain, and was received into the fullness of the Catholic Church. They were married on March 10, 1962, in the presence of a small group of friends in Jacksonville, N.C. Family and friends said their marriage would never last. What the Spirit joins together remains bound in lasting love forever.
Arnie and Elsie began their marriage with two dollars in their pocket, but through their hard work and determination, they made a life together in Wisconsin. They eventually bought a house in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee. Elsie was employed at Wisconsin Bell as a switchboard operator, and then worked as an Obstetrics Technician at St. Francis Hospital. She had the great joy of welcoming new life into the world every day. Their years in Milwaukee would find them welcoming the gift of life three times over with two beautiful daughters and a son. Arnie and Elsie worked hard so their children could attend Catholic grade school and high school. From the love of their home, they gave the world a talented teacher, a skilled nurse and a Catholic priest.
They retired in 2000 and relocated to Crestview, Fla., and made many wonderful friends over the 16 years they were blessed to call Crestview home. Elsie met many people through Arnie’s membership in the Knights of Columbus. Weekend breakfasts with their friends after holy Mass at the Whataburger were times to connect, share family stories and be together. Having fulfilled their retirement dreams, they returned to Wisconsin in 2016 and settled into a condo in Delafield. Their nearness to family again was a tremendous blessing. Elsie enjoyed many visits from her grandchildren as she watched them grow, marry and have families of their own. She was overjoyed at the birth of her first two great-grandchildren. Arnie was Elsie’s caregiver until her death, teaching everyone they knew the meaning of selfless love and sacrifice. His tender care, concern and devotion to Elsie will always be cherished and remembered.
As Elsie’s health began to decline, she held firmly to Christ and her Catholic faith which lived in her heart her entire life. She and Arnie would join their son’s livestream Masses every day, praying together. Her faith shaped who she was: a true disciple who loved without counting the cost.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 64 years, Arnold; her siblings, Boyd Rumer of Petersburg, W.Va., Larry (Donna) Rumer of Maysville, W.Va. and Roy (Patsy) Rumer of Arthur, W.Va.; her children, Terri (Roger) Mullins of Oconomowoc Lake, Jodi (Randy) Bennett of Stanton, Mich., and Fr. Michael Radowicz of Madison; her grandchildren, Aaron (Abby) Galvan of West Bend, Christopher Galvan of Seattle, Wash., Nicholas Galvan of Menomonee Falls, Joshua (Danielle) Mullins of Richfield, Joseph (Amy) Mullins of Delafield and Kathryn (Alex) Denk of Brookfield; her great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Sylvia and Theodore (soon to be with us!); along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family and friends.
Going before her, marked with the sign of faith are her parents, Raymond and Mary Belle Rumer (nee Kessel); and her in-laws, Michael and Anna Radowicz (nee Lilla), Eldred and Alice Wuerl, Donald and Grace Marohl and Thomas and Lorraine Michel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the St. Raphael Clergy Retirement Fund or to the Cathedral of St. Bernard for Mass intentions.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the CATHEDRAL OF ST. BERNARD PARISH CENTER, 2438 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 12 noon on Friday, July 24, 2026. The family will receive guests and friends at the parish center from 10 a.m.until the time of holy Mass. The Mass will also be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/StBernardMadison. Private entombment will take place at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Milwaukee.
The family wishes to thank Agrace Hospice and ProHealth Angel’s Grace Hospice for their excellent and compassionate care of Elsie.
“Lord, to whom else shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life. We believe and we are convinced that you are the holy one of God.” Elsie’s faith, loving heart and gentle soul will be missed more than words can convey. Our sorrow is great in what was left behind, but our faith and hope are a comfort in the joy of what lies ahead. “Let us rejoice and be glad that He has saved us.”
Arrangements entrusted to Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, Monona. Online condolences may be made at wwww.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420