Elke Tate

Waynesville, Elke Janett Pape Tate, 54, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Mission Hospital Memorial Campus.

A native of Germany, she was a daughter of Helmut and Rosemarie Otte Pape.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by the fathers of her children, Herbert Sherman and James Edward Tate.  Elke was a translator for the United States Military and more recently worked at HVO.  She enjoyed visiting churches in the area and relaxing at Lake Douglas, riding Harley’s and spending time with her family.  Elke was a member of Harley Owners Group, Elks and a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion.

In addition to her parents she is survived by her husband of seven years, Arthur Sanford; two daughters, Rebecca Palmer (Chris), of Knoxville, Illinois and Ann Cunningham (Heath), of Chicago, Illinois; two sons, Patrick Sherman (Ashley), of Galesburg, Illinois and Tommy Tate (Jaime Blazer), of Waynesville; two sisters, Bärbel  von Thaden and Ute Holte, both of Germany; two brothers, Stefan Böckelken and Andreas Pape, both of Germany; and seven grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Ricky Sanford officiating.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

The care of Mrs. Tate has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes.