Racine - After a battle with lung cancer, Racine County Clerk of Courts Taraesa Wheary Haug died Sunday at age 53.

Wheary Haug, 912 Williams St., worked up to the last minute she could as clerk of courts despite the disease, said County Administrative Deputy Clerk Rose Lee. Lee worked under Wheary Haug at the Racine County Courthouse and ran against her in the 2006 election.

"(She) would never miss work unless something was really bad," Lee said. "The last couple weeks is when it really took a toll on her."

The clerk of courts oversees all court records, jury management and collected fines, among other things.

"Every case that goes to the court goes through the clerk of courts," Lee said. "That is the starting point."

The position is a four-year elected position. Wheary Haug was last elected in

November 2006.

Wheary Haug worked for the county for more than 30 years and had been clerk of courts since being elected in 1996.

"She loved her work," Lee said. "It was obvious in everything she did."

Chief Justice Gerald Ptacek of District 2 worked with Wheary Haug throughout her career.

"She was an important part of the court family," Ptacek said.

The circuit court judges will appoint someone to finish her term of office, Ptacek said.

Wheary Haug enjoyed traveling and visiting art fairs, said Lee.

"We always looked forward to her Christmas presents because they were always something from an art fair," Lee said. She also enjoyed deer hunting, Lee said.

Wheary Haug was admitted to Wheaton Franciscan hospice care on March 21. She died at 4 p.m. Sunday at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital, 3801 Spring St.

Wheary Haug is survived by her husband, Gary Haug.

Her funeral and visitation will be held at Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St.

The visitation is tentatively scheduled for Friday and the funeral for Saturday.