Elsie Gray

Elsie Fern Sindelar Slifer Gray, 93, died peacefully in her sleep from congestive heart failure on Sunday, December 17th. For two years, she lived at Grace Edgewood Assisted Living.

Elsie married and divorced Dale Emery Slifer. They had two children, Cindy Jane and Edward Dean (Jane). Later she married and divorced William Gray. She was preceded in death by her parents (Joseph and Frances Sindelar), four of her sisters--Rose, Emma Ostrude (Hans), Mary Kleven (Herb), Agnes Clark--and one brother, Emil. She is survived by her two children, two sisters--Florence Johnson (Lloyd) and Leona Melsness (Lester), and several nieces and nephews and their families and many friends.

Elsie was a factory worker at Uniroyal during World War II and Presto Ammunition Plant during the Vietnam conflict. Elsie loved the elderly and young children. She was popular with the residents when she worked about 20 years at Grace Lutheran's Syverson Nursing Home as a dietitian aide. When their relatives saw her in the community, they stopped her to express their appreciation for her time to talk and joke with their loved one and sometimes giving them cards and trinkets. When she retired, she started working again at the University Day Care Center as a senior aide and then part time at Y.M.C.A. Day Care. She was so loved that one of her four year old charges invited her to his high school graduation celebration.

Elsie was known as the lady that walked all over Eau Claire looking for garage sales. She could be seen walking from downtown to the Oakwood Mall. When she was not walking, she rode her bicycle. She also enjoyed music, antique shops, traveling and exploring the U.S., sitting on the river beaches and Big Falls, scrapbooking, and collecting dolls, teddy bears and other collectables. If you encouraged her or strongly beg, she might serenade you by yodeling.

Funeral services for Elsie will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 11:00am at Stokes, Prock & Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Pkwy, Altoona, with Pastor Rod Larson officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 4:00-7:00pm at the funeral home, and again one hour prior to services on Thursday. Burial will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire.