Gwendolyn L. Elsner
Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home
In memoriam of Gwendolyn L. Elsner, 09/04/1931 - 11/03/2014
View the online memorial here.
Gwendolyn L. Elsner, 83 of Coloma passed away peacefully of heart failure at her home on Monday, Nov 3 surrounded by her loving family.
Services celebrating her life will be held 11:00 am Friday, Nov 7 at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma where visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 pm. Burial will be in Coloma Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to the North Berrien Historical Society or the North Berrien Senior Center. Those wishing to leave an online message of comfort for the family may do so by using the "Guestbook" link located on this page.
Gwen was born Sept 4, 1931 in Van Buren County, Arkansas to Verna (Hall) Lepker. She moved to Michigan in 1940 at the age of 9, graduating from Coloma High School with the Class of 1949. On July 1, 1950 she married Theodore E. Elsner, Jr. Together they raised three children, Brian, Beth, and Michael.
She was employed by Bell Telephone Company and was a homemaker and co-owner of Elsner Tree Service for 40 years. She also operated the family farm. In her later years Gwen worked for Area Agency on Aging and the North Berrien Historical Society of which she was a member. She was also an active member of the Coloma Lioness Club, the Curtis Club, and St. Paul's UCC in Bainbridge Township.
Gwen enjoyed going to her cabin at Big Bass Lake in Irons, MI, and cooking and entertaining family and friends. She was known for her heart of gold and her ability of accommodating everyone as family. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Survivors include her children Brian (Pam Stuch) Elsner, Beth (Jim) Eisbrenner, and Michael (Katherine) Elsner; grandchildren Teddy and Christopher Eisbrenner, Walter and Caroline Elsner, Matthew Stuch, and Kayla and Felicia Villarreal; and sister-in-laws Audrey Elsner and MaryAnn Fisher. She is also survived by dear family friend Cindy Villarreal, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and close family friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father Verna and Arthur Lepker, husband Ted Elsner, Jr, dear companion Duane Hiler and brother-in-laws Millard Elsner and George Fisher.