Ellene E. Caramanidis

Ellene Edna Radke Caramanidis, 92, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026. Born on June 1, 1933, on her family’s dairy farm in Brandon, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Mildred (Baber) and Oscar Radke. She graduated from Brandon High School in 1950 and worked as a secretary at Rueping’s Leather Company in Fond du Lac. There she met the love of her life, Mike Caramanidis, on a blind date, and they married soon after.

A woman of strong Christian faith, Ellene was a devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church. For many years she volunteered at Zion’s 2nd Chance Thrift Store and at Bethel Home. She found deep joy in caring for her family, sewing countless quilts for Lutheran World Relief, and baking. Her homemade pies, especially pecan and fresh raspberry made from berries she picked in her garden, were legendary. At family meals she would often smile and say, “If everyone takes a little more, it will all be gone.”

She is survived by her son, Tony (Teresa) Caramanidis of Conover, Wisconsin; her daughter, Susan (Thomas) Bruski of Oshkosh; three granddaughters, Emily (Nicholas) Berndt, Sarah (Franklin) Forseth of Oshkosh, and Samantha (Brandon) Hunt of Eagle River; and six great-grandchildren, Brandon, Claire, and Charlotte Berndt, George Forseth, and Kayce and Mason Hunt. She is also survived by three nieces, Sandra, Barbara, and Melinda, and a brother-in-law, Alex (Winifred) Caramanidis.

Ellene was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mike; her parents, Oscar and Mildred Radke; her in-laws, Nicholas and Gramatiki Houliasmano Caramanidis; her sister, Beulah (Myron) Hollander; her brother, Alfred (Merlyn) Radke; her sisters-in-law, Mary (John) Hendricks, Helen (Howard) Klein, and Ann (George) Protogere; and her brothers-in-law, Anist and Gus Caramanidis. Her quiet kindness, steady faith, and the warmth she brought to every table will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.