Elsie Ruth Weitz, 92, died January 20, 2013, at the White Sulphur Springs Nursing Home.
She was born April 10, 1920, to Minnie and Axel Holmstrom at the Sheep Creek Ranch in Meagher County, where her father worked with and showed registered stock . She and her family later moved to the Seiben Ranch by Helena, where she attended Helena High School. In 1935, Helena suffered a 6.0 earthquake which devastated much of the city. She and her classmates then attended school in boxcars and it was from there she graduated in 1936.
Elsie attended the University of Montana, leaving college during WWII to work in Oregon at the Umatilla Ordinance Depot. It was there that she met and married, Robert Weitz. It was then that Elsie learned the best ways to cook seafood and how to spot clams on the beach. Outings would consist of picking wild asparagus or apples from local orchards and a real treat would be picnics on the Columbia. Gas rationing was a constant and if you hadn’t traded your coupons for cigarettes or sugar, you might have had enough gas to head for the occasional country outing.
After Bob graduated from Montana State College in 1952, they settled at Elsie’s family ranch in White Sulphur Springs, where they made their home for 63 years until Bob’s passing in 2012.
Elsie was a homemaker and a wonderful cook. Salesmen or visitors who stopped in around dinnertime always were invited to stay for a hot meal or at least a happy hour. She ran the cookhouse for many years honing her card playing skills between meals. She loved to play bridge and was a member of many bridge groups, such as the Couples Bridge Club, the Birthday Bridge Club and the Priscilla Bridge Club. She was also a member of Eastern Star, The Presbyterian Church and Cowbells (Cattle Women), where she served as a secretary and then president.
She and Bob enjoyed many wonderful trips including cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal and Hawaii. For the last 20 years, they enjoyed spending time in their condo at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they enjoyed cookouts with friends, competitive shuffleboard tournaments and bartering on the beach.
She is survived by two sons, Michael (daughter-in-law Gail) and Richard, six grandchildren: Daryl, Kelly, Erica, Alicia, Danica and Dayna; two great-grandchildren: Fisher and Sawyer and her sister-in-law Rose Holmstrom.
She is preceded in death by her parents Minnie and Axel Holmstrom, husband Bob, her brother Swede Holmstrom and a daughter-in-law Daphne Weitz.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Stevenson Wilke (formerly Twichel) Funeral Home, 103 E Garfield, White Sulphur Springs. Graveside services will follow at Mayn Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Wednesday January 23, 2013
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home (Formerly Twichel) Funeral Home
103 E Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Visitation
9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Thursday January 24, 2013
Stevenson Wilke (Formerly Twichel) Funeral Home
103 E Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday January 26, 2013
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
103 E Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Reception
3:00 pm
Saturday January 26, 2013
Montana Roadhouse
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Wednesday January 23, 2013
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home (Formerly Twichel) Funeral Home
103 E Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Visitation
9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Thursday January 24, 2013
Stevenson Wilke (Formerly Twichel) Funeral Home
103 E Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Memorial Service
1:00 p.m.
Saturday January 26, 2013
Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
103 E Garfield
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
Reception
3:00 pm
Saturday January 26, 2013
Montana Roadhouse
White Sulphur Springs, Montana 59645
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Steve & Sonnie Moritz says
So sorry to hear of Elsie’s death. Thank you Gail for keeping me informed about Elsie. She was so sweet when we came out to visit in Montana. She reminded me so much of my Mom. It was nice to get to know one of my mom’s closest cousins. God bless you all!
Jillian Moritz says
So sorry for your loss. She was so sweet and caring and did remind me a lot of Grandma Pearl as well. Miss you all and you’re in my prayers.
Pam Cameron says
So Sorry to hear about Aunt Elsie. My Mother was Uncle Bob’s sister.
I can rememeber all the times we would come and visit the ranch and Aunt Elsie was always so nice to me as I was the only girl amongest all the boys. She always made me feel very special and always loved and welcomed. I will miss her sweetness and smiles.