Elsie Oliver

Elsie Lucille Oliver

Elsie Lucille Oliver, eldest child of 12, was born to Cleo and Maude Collins on September 23, 1912, passed away Sunday (April 13, 2014) at the Schuyler County Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman in 1997, two daughters, Dorothy Anne Dufur and Mary Louise White, five brothers, four sisters, two daughters-in-law, and one son-in-law.

She will be missed by nine children, six sons, Charles Oliver, Jack and Maudie Oliver, Gene and Wilma Oliver, Rob and Glenda Oliver, James and Lynn Oliver, Gerald and Cheryl Oliver; three daughters, Joyce and Norm Abderhalden, Linda Baker and Patti and Mike Sparks; two sons-in-law, Lloyd and Barbara Dufur, Dick and Karen White; one brother, Robert and Marion Collins; one sister, Sharlene Rowland; 22 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren and 9 great great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Elsie was born in Worthington area and baptized at an early age in the Chariton River. On July 23, 1931 she was married to Norman Oliver and lived in and around the Worthington and Jimtown areas moving to a farm near Coatsville before moving to what was known as Patterson community, west of Queen City in 1942, where she remained for over 70 years.

Her life spanned world wars, epidemics, the depression and local changes with roads once passable only by horse to gravel and then blacktop, electricity brought to the area, rural water (which she never wanted, her well with the pump handle worked just fine) indoor plumbing and the telephone that she finally conceded to having when she was in her 60’s.

Elsie’s life work was raising the children and some of the grandchildren with the combined years of schooling, oldest child to youngest, being over more than 40 years, hand milking cows, bottle feeding calves, growing a truck patch size garden and then putting up the fruits of her labors. She enjoyed growing flowers, both indoors and out, jig-saw puzzles, sewing, embroidery and would sit in her favorite chair reading historical books that usually ended in a well-deserved nap.

Mom told her children years ago that she would live to be a hundred and little did she realize that she would be surpassing even that. A long life, summed up in a few short lines, filled with joys and sorrows, but her memories and her standards for living will continue on in her children and grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday (April 26, 2014) at the Tarr Cemetery with Pastor Walter Burnett officiating.

Dooley Funeral Home

Queen City, MO 63561   660-766-2241