Elli Pfluke

Elli Pfluke, formerly of 353 Lenox Avenue, Oneida, passed peacefully in her sleep on October 31, 2025. She was born on July 2, 1937, in Giessen, Germany, to Karl and Emilie Pitz and was the eldest daughter of eighteen children.

As the oldest daughter, Elli carried great responsibility for her many siblings, yet she always spoke fondly of her childhood. On February 12, 1965, she married Leland Pfluke, an American soldier stationed in her hometown.

Elli’s greatest joy and accomplishment in life was her family. She welcomed her first child, Patricia, on August 18, 1960, followed by her son Peter (Theresa) on August 7, 1963, and son Royce (Charlotte) on May 26, 1965. Her beloved daughter Marjorie was born on July 23, 1966, and sadly passed away on March 17, 1967, at just eight months old. Her youngest daughter, Sandra (Randy), completed the family on February 12, 1969.

Shortly after their marriage, Elli and Leland moved their young family to the United States to pursue the American dream. She was immensely proud to become an American citizen and fully embraced both the culture and the language—often declaring with a smile, “I’m American!” whenever someone noticed her distinct German accent.

Following her divorce in 1975, Elli’s determination and strength shone brightly. She began working in manufacturing, first at Oneida Molded Plastics and later at Oneida Limited, where she built a long and dedicated career until her retirement in 2000. Even after retiring, Elli continued to serve her community as a librarian at the Oneida Public Library, where she found joy in the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.

A devoted member and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church in Oneida, Elli often expressed gratitude for the fellowship and support she found there. She was also an active and loyal member of the Women of the Moose Lodge in Oneida, where she enjoyed socializing, golfing, playing shuffleboard, and organizing community events. Through her dedication, she earned several honors, including the Academy of Friendship Award, Senior Regent, and College of Regents—achievements she took great pride in.

Elli was blessed with eleven grandchildren: Athena (Dickquist) Frantz (Brian) of Cicero, NY; Thor Dickquist of Syracuse, NY; John DeCarr (Taylor) of Utica, NY; Kimberly (DeCarr) Ingelmo, MD (Christopher) of Memphis, TN; Serenity Watkins of Kingsport, TN; Karissa Watkins of Johnson City, TN; Catie (Pfluke) France (Jason) of Apopka, FL; Noah Pfluke of Sherrill, NY; Mason Pfluke of Lake Placid, NY; Corey Pfluke, PhD of Arlington, VA; and Stormi Pfluke of Orlando, FL.

She also cherished her four great-grandchildren: Alexis Gasparini (2007) of Barrington, RI; Carmine Gasparini (2009) of Cicero, NY; Reagan Frantz (2021) of Cicero, NY; and Bentley Powers (2021) of Oneida, NY.

Elli’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life. They will forever remember the countless backyard barbecues, festive holiday decorations, Christmas cookie baking with old records playing in the background, and Christmas Eve celebrations featuring her famous lasagna followed by searching for the pickle in the tree. Sleepovers at “Oma’s” were a special tradition, complete with hot chocolate, popcorn, and either The Golden Girls or a favorite movie.

Elli was incredibly proud of her relationship with her extended family as well, returning to Germany to visit her siblings whenever she could. Elli also cherished a special bond with her two Sister in-laws, Marjorie and Shirley, she often joked she was glad they “kept her around” and looked forward to their large family gatherings.

Elli was a true role model to everyone who knew her. Whether through her meticulous craftsmanship in building delicate dollhouses or her fearless determination to construct her own back deck armed only with a library book, she exemplified resourcefulness, creativity, and strength.

Born in a war-torn country, Elli came to America and built a beautiful life through courage, hard work, and unconditional love. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Service will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, November 8, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church in Oneida with a light luncheon to follow. Donations may be made in Elli’s name to St. Camillus Nursing Home, as they did a wonderful job of ensuring Elli was properly cared for in her final days.