On Sunday, March 2, 2025, Elaine Lorel Kresse passed away at Genesis East Medical Center in Davenport. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel C. Kresse; her parents, Lorel and Lorraine Campbell; her brother, Norman Campbell, who is survived by his wife, Jan; her sister, Joan (Campbell) Springsteen; and her brother-in-law, Richard Springsteen. She was also preceded in death by her grandson, Travis Kresse.
Elaine and Sam raised five sons: Scott Kresse and wife Bonny Hendricksmeyer of Des Moines; Bill Kresse and Amy Kresse of Colorado, with grandchildren Brittini and Tarl, with great-grandson Koltin; Brad Kresse and wife Debbie Kresse of Davenport, with great-grandsons Ronik and Akash Robinson; Bryan Kresse of Davenport; Sam Kresse II of Davenport; and Teresa Kresse of Grimes, with grandsons Malcolm and Dax Kresse. Elaine has many relatives along the Springsteen, Campbell, Kresse, and Owens family lines that are not forgotten at this time.
Elaine dedicated her life to serving others as a community leader, teacher, organizer, and caregiver. After graduating from Marycrest College in Davenport, she began teaching at Williams Junior High before spending over 35 years at North Scott Junior High School, where she retired from education. While teaching and raising a family, Elaine earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Iowa as a reading specialist. She was honored with the Golden Apple Award in 1999, recognizing her as one of the top educators in the Quad Cities.
In 2021, Elaine was honored to receive the Athena Award, an international recognition for individuals who achieve professional excellence and help women advance in their careers. This was not the capstone of her achievements, as she continued to serve on state and local boards for organizations including the American Association of University Women (AAUW), NAACP, Ridgecrest Foundation, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities (UUCQC), Quad City Interfaith, and many more.
Elaine was proud to be purple — bringing people from all sides together to talk and work for the common good. She was a devoted advocate for women’s rights and was instrumental in helping to bring Planned Parenthood to the Quad Cities, always championing equality and justice.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities (UUCQC), 3707 Eastern Ave., Davenport, on Saturday, March 15. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Ceremony at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers and arrangements the family asks that memorial be made to the following charities: UUCQC, NAACP, Quad City Interfaith, or Humility Homes and Services.
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