Elaine Brotherton

Elaine Brotherton, 89, of Kahoka, passed away at 3:53pm on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Ft. Madison, Iowa, with her family by her side. Elaine was born on October 12, 1936, to Alfred and Lucille (Muhrer) Hess, one of 4 girls, Elaine attended Kahoka high school and then after graduation, went to secretarial college. She married Warren “Lewis” Brotherton at St. Paul United Church of Christ on March 9, 1957, and they remained married for 39 years, until Lewis ‘death on February 1, 1996. Lewis and Elaine had 1 son, Eric, with whom Elaine lived with until her passing. Elaine was a devoted gardener and had recently planted her 66th garden just this year. She was an active member of St. Paul United Church of Christ for over 60 years. She taught Sunday School there for 35 years and was a member of Tuesday Club and the Sunshine Circle.

Every year, Elaine looked forward to taking her grandchildren on special weekend outings, taking them to church, or shopping in the spring for flowers to plant in the garden. She loved her grandchildren as much as her garden and held a special fondness for all of her great-grandchildren Her warmth, and kind nature will be missed by all of those she leaves behind to mourn her.

Elaine is survived by her son, Eric (Amy Rohrbough) Brotherton, her grandchildren Josh (Treva) Brotherton, from FL, Brandy Friday, from AZ, Devin (Heather) Kite, from IL, and Sean (Carmen) Cannon from IA, and great-grandchildren; Anekah, Alden, Zoey, Allison, Kade, Oliver, Dominic, Jack, S.J., Neala, and Keely Murphy from Beardstown, IL., sister Miriam Hall, Brother-in-law, David Shrauner; 2 nephews, Douglas Hall and Mitch Shrauner and niece Debbie Lane.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Brotherton, sister Reta Shrauner, infant sister Kathleen Hess, granddaughter Brooke Kite, niece Sara Prigge, and Brother-in-law, Philip Hall.

Visitation for Elaine Brotherton will be held between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Wilson & McKinnon Funeral Home.

A Memorial Service for Elaine will take place at 11:00am on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Wilson & McKinnon Funeral Home. Pastor David Turner will officiate. This event will be livestreamed: https://my.gather.app/remember/elaine-brotherton

 Inurnment to follow at St. Paul's Cemetery in Kahoka.

Memorials in Elaine’s memory may be directed to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Mission Fund

Condolences for the family may be left at www.wilsonmckinnon.com