Elaine Alma Hachler passed away peacefully on September 9th, 2026 surrounded by her daughters in St. Louis, Missouri.  Diagnosed with cancer in March of 2025, she battled and fought bravely through chemo, radiation and surgery to the very end.  She remained optimistic about the outcome each day and shared in her final days that, “Life is short.  Don’t delay doing the things you want to do, for later may never come.  Forgive and forget.  She forgives and forgets.”  She never missed an opportunity to kiss you and tell you that she loved you!  She was born to George Abram Alkio of Winlock, Washington and Elnor Lavena (Purchase) Alkio of Pendleton, Oregon on November 21st, 1948 in Pendleton, Oregon.

Elaine grew up and graduated from H.S. in Pendleton, Oregon, earning a B.S. at the University of Oregon went on to get her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University in Chicago.  In 1973, she married Michael George Ulicni of Chicago, Illinois.  They made their home in Hinsdale and had a busy and full life raising four adopted children.  Looking back, she says that raising her children were the best years of her life.

In Hinsdale, Elaine was known for her volunteer work on Madison Elementary’s PTO and serving on AAUW’s Home Tour.  Elaine loved crafting and collecting antiques.  She sewed and quilted and created award winning costumes for the whole family to wear at Hinsdale’s annual Fourth of July parades!  She is fondly remembered as Room Mother for her goodie bags, rice Krispy treats and fun games!   Her home was always open and a place for family, friends and neighborhood kids to gather.  Elaine truly had a heart of gold.  She was kind, generous, forgiving, always optimistic.  Even though she was known for her career and volunteer work, she was a devoted mother, wife, sister, daughter, grandmother and great-grandmother.  

After divorce brought Elaine back to Pendleton in 1989, she re-married Dennis A. Hachler.  Sadly, Michael passed away in July 1992.  Elaine worked as a physical therapist at St. Anthony’s hospital in Pendleton until July 2010 when Dennis passed away.  She moved to Lincoln City to live with her son and daughter-in-law until her diagnosis which brought her to  St. Louis, Missouri for treatment.

Elaine is survived by her sister, Diana Hack (Chuck deceased), her four children, Brica Griffith (Justin), Shawna Dittmar (Tom), Ryan Ulicni (Trena), Ashley Ulicni, and grandchildren, Parker, Trudy, and Marcus Griffith; Henry, Oliver, Sophia Dittmar; Ronnie, Alexus, Jenny, Trevor, Tommy Ulicni and two great-grandchildren, niece Monique O’Grady (Mike), and nephew Royce Hack and great-neice and nephews, Cheyenne, Keenan, Clayton, Madelyn O’Grady.  She was preceded in death by her father and mother, George and Elnor, ex-husband Michael and husband, Dennis.  

She grew up Presbyterian, believed in God and the goodness in people, but she wanted to be sure of her eternal future by accepting and confessing Jesus into her heart with childlike faith on August 26th.  She was comforted knowing that she will be re-united with loved ones in heaven.  “Until we meet again,” she told us.  Elaine wishes to be cremated and placed to rest with family at Olney cemetery in Pendleton, Oregon.  There will be a memorial gathering in St. Louis which will be held at 16644 Clayton Rd, Wildwood, MO 63011.  In lieu of flowers, Elaine supported veterans’ non-profit organizations such as Tunnel to Towers.  Any desirable donation could be made to one of these non-profits to honor her.