Elaine Unger, a proud transplant to Greendale, grew up in West Allis, where she developed a strong work ethic and a love for community involvement. With a background rooted in hard work and family values, Elaine’s journey has been marked by dedication, from her early days working at the Greenfield Park Golf Course to her current role as a Village Trustee. Elaine’s commitment to service is evident in her extensive volunteer work, ranging from supporting the March of Dimes to maintaining the Butterfly Habitat at the Milwaukee County Zoo. She finds joy in meeting and helping the residents of Greendale, balancing her professional life as a Legal Assistant with her passion for community service.
Elaine’s story is a testament to the importance of community, hard work, and finding the perfect balance between work and play.
Thank you, Elaine, for making the move to Greendale 28 years ago! Your dedication and enthusiasm have made our community a better place. We are grateful for you and all that you do!
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I am humbled to have been nominated to participate in this project. Thank you! I did not grow up in Greendale. I’m a transplant who grew up on Candy Cane Lane in West Allis (before it became known as such) in a blue-collar family with my parents and two sisters. My Dad served in the U.S. Army as an Honor Guard for General Douglas MacArthur and after his discharge eventually took a job at Hotpoint on 43rd and Lincoln manufacturing dishwashers, although we never owned a dishwasher because my Dad said he had three! My Mother always had a part-time evening job to help supplement their income. She worked in dietary at West Allis Memorial and for the West Allis Star community newspaper. I attended St. Matthias Catholic School and graduated from Nathan Hale High School where I was very involved in clubs, sports and was elected as a senior class officer who read the names at graduation. I had an amazing circle of friends. As soon as I was old enough, I walked up and down Hwy. 100 looking for a job. I landed a job working at the Greenfield Park Golf Course at age 15. We were a one-car family, so I had to get up bright and early to ride my bike to the golf course. Needless to say, I have always had a very strong work ethic. But all work and no play is no fun, so I’ve always found the perfect balance.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I met my husband John in 1984 while on college spring break in Daytona Beach. I knew he was someone special, so I took detours through the hallways of MATC hoping to run into him and, lo and behold, one day I saw “Felix” while I was walking to work for the theater director. For our first date, he took me to one of his softball games in Racine. We recently celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary. We have one son, Alex, who is currently serving as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army and has been recommended for Warrant Officer training.
Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
I work in Downtown Milwaukee as a Legal Assistant for a prominent real estate developer. I enjoy being Downtown and the flexibility of the position, but I love serving the residents of Greendale as a Village Trustee. My favorite part is meeting and chatting with the residents—listening to their stories or helping them with their concerns.
Q: Please tell us about any volunteering that you have done or currently do.
Growing up, my mother would “go marching.” That meant she would go door-to-door seeking donations for the March of Dimes. I, too, supported the March of Dimes. In the 80s, March of Dimes Walk America spanned from Humboldt Park to Grant Park and back for about 12 miles! As a teenager, I volunteered as a candy striper at Methodist Manor nursing home. John, Alex, and I served meals at the St. Ben’s Community Meal Program and helped re-build a home in New Orleans’ 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina. Through the UW Extension Master Gardener program, I maintained the Butterfly Habitat at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Greendale volunteer work (past and present): Boy Scout Troop 506, Community Alliance (reducing substance misuse), Greendale’s Library Board, Friends of the Greendale Public Library, Greendale’s Veterans Day Program, Greendale Historical Society, Greendale Children’s Garden, Village Days 85th Anniversary Committee, GEA Children’s Resale and Hay Days. Greendale has a strong sense of community involvement and I’m just one of many volunteers. After all, it takes a Village!
Q: Please tell us about any interesting or unique hobbies that you have?
I’ve dabbled in various hobbies over the years, including quilling, sewing, and floral arranging. I have a Christmas tree that stays up all year that I re-decorate for the seasons. It currently has a patriotic theme, then I will change it to Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Birthday, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter. I make the time to read for pleasure, so I am a regular patron of Greendale’s cozy, welcoming library. I enjoy the outdoors and love sleeping in a tent. My husband and I like visiting Amish communities and do so yearly. Baking, especially Christmas cookies, where I bake up to 12 different kinds and share them with neighbors, co-workers, and Village staff. I won a Wisconsin State Fair third-place ribbon for my peanut butter cookies. I keep telling myself I need to enter them again to win first place! Finally, my husband likes to sit down at his iMac to make videos for milestone birthdays, family reunions, weddings, etc. Once he gets the guts of the project done, I help edit and pick out the music. It’s fun to do and the final product is pretty impressive for a couple of amateur movie makers.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Greendale? What do you love there?
The open-face portabella sandwich from Sugar and Flour and their salted brown butter cookie. Ricardo’s pizza! Dusted toffee almonds from Apples of Eden. Joey Gerard’s salmon and their raw beef and onion (reminds me of my childhood), but I wish they would bring back their delicious chopped salad.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Greendale?
28 years in the “S” Section. We were living in Caledonia and it was time to start thinking about schools. A co-worker said: “What about Greendale?” I distinctly remember driving up and down all of the confusing winding streets looking at houses for sale. The house we bought was a model home back in 1968. Apparently, it was pretty special back then because the kitchen island had electrical outlets. I wasn’t a fan of the carpeted kitchen though, so that didn’t last long.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Greendale?
This question is tough because there are so many. Four who come to mind right away: Ron Barbian, Sally Chadwick, Colleen Fechtmeyer, and Greg Sylvester. I admire their knowledge of and passion for Greendale. Most interesting would be Steve and Margo Burrows (filmmakers and public safety activists). I first met them when they came to a Village Board Meeting with a resident concern. I sent an email to Steve to follow up with them about the issue. One thing led to another and I watched their film BLEED OUT. As I’m watching it, I stopped and yelled for John in utter shock. The orthopedic surgeon in the film was the same surgeon who operated on me as a teenager! However, my surgery had a very different outcome than Steve’s mother’s. They are such warm, friendly, talented people, and Steve’s wit and sense of humor is so fun and refreshing.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Tacoma, Washington to see our son who is stationed there. Hopefully, he stays stateside for a while.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
At the very top of my list is Pretty Woman (followed by Grease). Here’s an interesting story. I used to work for a large downtown law firm and as part of the Summer Associate Program for law students, I helped gather biographical information for each intern to be shared firm-wide. For “Favorite Movie,” one of the interns chose Pretty Woman, initially. Then she pleaded with me to change it to the Italian film Cinema Paradiso. I think she was embarrassed to admit that Pretty Woman was her favorite. Not me! Also, I haven’t missed a single season of The Bachelor or any of its spin-offs. That’s a lot of rose ceremonies!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay. Accept yourself for who you are and what you believe in—-including your taste in movies and TV shows!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I don’t have a bucket list but would like to continue visiting the National Parks. The most unique park so far has been Haleakala National Park on Maui where we enjoyed a breathtaking sunset at 10,000 feet.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Not a go-to band, but a go-to channel: Yacht Rock Radio on Sirius
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Greendale?
In the 70s, a group of us neighborhood kids used to ride our bikes from 95th and Dakota to Southridge via 92nd Street, to Forest Home, to Edgerton, to 76th. No helmets. Kids hitching a ride on the rear wire double basket. I rode at the back of the line and honked my bike’s horn to warn the others of cars coming up from behind. Safety first! What I remember about Southridge was buying wax lips from the candy shop at Ferrell’s Ice Cream Parlor.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I would love to meet and get a reading from the very compassionate, gifted author and medical medium, Anthony William, whose books I have read and own. His protocols have helped millions heal from chronic illness and disease. I would let him decide where to have lunch since he mostly eats a plant-based diet.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Greendale?
The view from the middle of Broad Street of Greendale’s picturesque Village Hall. Any season, day or night, it’s a stunning landmark.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Retired, living in Greendale, volunteering, and checking off some of those National Parks.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’ve taken up rebounding. Favorite songs to jump to include: “What Do You Mean” by Justin Bieber, “Sail Away” by Lovelytheband, “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson, and Bronze Radio’s “Shake! Shake! Shake!”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
In 1988, when air travel was more luxurious, pleasant, and easy, John and I took a three-week vacation to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Denmark. The scenery was magnificent and the highlight of the trip was visiting King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle in the Bavarian Alps.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Only in recent years have I come to appreciate the month of September. The weather is gorgeous; warm but not humid. The sky looks bluer with big puffy cumulous clouds, plus the leaves are starting to turn. As an added bonus, kids are back in school, so it’s a great time to travel.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Our annual family reunion Fourth of July week in gorgeous Northern Minnesota! This year marks our 76th year! Anywhere between 60-90 family and friends rent cabins on Woman Lake, which was rated one of the ten most beautiful lakes in the world by National Geographic magazine. Cruising the 5,000 acre lake on our pontoon, early morning kayaking through the peaceful channel. Loons, eagles and blue heron. Catching up with everyone. The ongoing tradition is a true blessing.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband John. He is an incredibly kind, giving, fun, and optimistic person. He inspires me and everyone who crosses his path, and he does my grocery shopping!
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
My Mom’s fresh line-dried laundry and my Dad’s lilac bushes
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
wi-fi free sanctuary, fun get-togethers, warmth and comfort
