Elli Ristaino, 90, of Holliston, passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Born in Germany, she was the daughter of the late Fritz Kuhl and Lisbeth (Rietenbach) Casper and step-father, Hans Casper. She was the wife of 45 years to the late Richard C. Ristaino.

Elli was born in G. Lindenau, Germany. In January 1945, her mother fled from the fighting on the Eastern Front with Elli and her four brothers, never to return to their home. Elli sailed with a friend to the United States on the Queen Mary in 1961. While working in Great Lakes, Ill, she met her husband Dick at a USO dance. He proposed on their third date, they married months later in August 1963, and the dance continued for 45 years.

Elli was an active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church since 1969 where she taught Sunday school, prepared the bulletins, volunteered at Blessed Beginnings, and helped in countless other ways. She worked at the Holliston High cafeteria for 19 years. Elli was known for helping her neighbors however she could, and was often seen on long walks around town. She loved her exercise classes and volunteering at the Holliston Senior Center. She and Dick loved to travel in their retirement, especially cruising, and touring Italy and Portugal.

Elli is survived by two children, Rick Ristaino and his wife, Beth, of Holliston, and Kristine Robertson and her husband, David, of Colorado. She was the devoted Oma to four grandchildren, Matt and Carly Ristaino, and Kayla and Natalie Robertson. She also leaves behind her siblings, Gerhard Kuhl and wife, Brigitte, and Martin Kuhl and wife, Ingrid, and sister Jutta, all of Germany; as well as many nieces and nephews in the US and Germany. She was predeceased by brothers Gunter and Helmut.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 8th from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home in Holliston. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church; and burial in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Franklin. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 600 Central St., Holliston, MA 01746 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, michaeljfox.org