Obituary of Elsie Elgersma

Elsie (Hofman) Elgersma, the daughter of Abe and Katrina (Zonnefeld) Hofman, was born in Sanborn, Iowa on March 3, 1919. She spent her childhood years in the Sanborn area, attending first country school, and then Sanborn Christian School. Following her school years, Elsie worked for several families in the area, including the family of Dr. C. Maris. Her mother died in 1941, she then helped her father raise her two younger sisters Tillie and Arlene who looked to her as their second mother. For a short time she lived in southern California working various jobs including assisting the Gerrit Noteboom family. She was united in marriage to William (Bill) Elgersma on September 7, 1949 at the Sanborn Christian Reformed Church. They lived in Chicago while Bill attended school and Elsie worked downtown Chicago in a Kresge’s store on Michigan Ave. in the Greeting card department. They moved back to Sanborn in December of 1950 where they made their home and raised their family. They were blessed with four children, Jerry W., Cheryl, Delores and Susan. Elsie was a housewife; she also worked with Bill and their children as custodians of the Sanborn Christian School from 1965 to 1972. Elsie also sold Avon for many years. She had battled many medical problems with prolonged hospital stays over the past six years, including the loss of most of her eyesight, however she was not a complainer. Elsie was a very kind, compassionate Christian woman who touched many lives and was loved by many. She died peacefully into the arms of her savior and Lord at her daughters home in Sioux Falls, SD while under hospice care on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the age of 89. She was a Charter member of the Cornerstone United Reformed Church where she also attended the Ladies Bible study group. Elsie enjoyed baking, gardening, sewing, her favorite was fishing when she would take her children in the summer for a day off from the custodial job. She also enjoyed car trips to Yellowstone and California to visit relatives. Her family has many fond memories of travels with their parents. Elsie was also a lover of dogs and has a very special dog named Rosie. Elsie is survived by her husband of 59 years, Bill of Sanborn, IA; children: Jerry W. of Sanborn, IA, three daughters: Cheryl, Delores and Susan all of Sioux Falls, SD; a sister: Tillie (Harry E.) Bosma of Sanborn, IA; two sister-in-laws: Gert Hofman and Pearl Hofman both of Sanborn, IA; step sister: Elsie Kuyper of Sanborn, IA; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers: Dick, Maynard and Leslie in infancy; two sisters: Agnes Uittenbogaard and Arlene Krikke; and a stepmother Jessie Hofman. A Celebration of Life… Elsie Elgersma Born ~ March 3, 1919 Died ~ December 11, 2008 Age ~ 89 years 9 months 8 days Memorial Service Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Cornerstone United Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Officiating ~ Rev. Jay Wesseling Organist ~ Kay Wesseling Congregational Singing Processional ~ “How Great Thou Art” “Children of the Heavenly Father” “Sweet By and By” “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” Verses 1,2,4,5 Recessional ~ “Blessed Assurance” Pallbearers Arlen Hofman Dave Hofman Marlyn Hofman Don Brower Kevin Bosma Don Uittenbogaard Flower Attendants Rhonda Brower Mary Hofman Ushers Brian Elgersma Dave Elgersma Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa Memorials in Elsie’s memory may be directed to the Cornerstone United Reformed Church, Sanborn Christian School both of Sanborn, IA or the Second Chance Rescue of Sioux Falls, SD.