Elfriede W. Michallek, age 82, of Gresham, passed away on Friday, August 16, 2019 in Appleton. Elfriede was born on May 17, 1937, in Germany, to the late Hans and Therese (Breuer) Bruns. She enjoyed sewing quilts, knitting, and crocheting, going to quilting shows, traveling to Germany to visit family, gardening, and collecting dolls and stuffed bears. Elfriede belonged to the Shawano Quilting Club and volunteered at ThedaCare's Auxiliary, sewing pillow pals for patients. She loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchild.

Elfriede is survived by: her daughter, Marita Vrba; her granddaughters, Danielle and Christine Vrba; great-grandson, Greyson Beyer; brothers, Kurt and Karlheinz Bruns; and is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Therese Bruns, and her brothers, Herbert, Hans, and Helmut Bruns.

A memorial service for Elfriede will be held at 11:00 am, on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano with Associate Pastor Chris Secor officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be directed to the American Breast Cancer Association.

www.swedbergfuneralhome.com