Elsie Beiser, age 98, of Ellis, Kansas passed away Friday, November 18, 2022, at Hays Medical Center. She was born August 25, 1924, north of Ellis, Kansas, in rural Ellis County to Henry and Jennie (Zachman) Keller.
Elsie was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church north of Ellis. Her confirmation was the last class taught in German. She attended the Cottonwood Grove one room country school and graduated from Ellis High School in 1943.
Elsie married Roy “Buck” Huffman August 22, 1948, and they had two children, Phyllis and Phil. After Roy passed away Elsie married and was preceded in death by two husbands, David Ehrlich, and Dale Beiser.
Elsie’s remarkable life had her living through WWII, dust storms, the depression, and the Ellis flood of 1957. She and her husband Roy owned Ellis Liquor Store for many years. She worked with the Census, was involved with the Russell VFW, and loved to campaign for Bob Dole. She was also part of the Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion.
Elsie was known by many, never knew a stranger and was one to never judge. She loved her family and took great joy in the holidays, birthdays, and activities with all of them. She had many hobbies such as cooking, canning, dancing, sports, a good debate over politics, traveling to the Ozarks and enjoying the outdoors and simply being the life of the party.
Elsie was a part of several families lives and loved them all. On Memorial Day she often joked she had to pack a lunch to get to every grave and make sure they were properly decorated. Elsie’s strong faith and caring heart allowed her to truly be a lifelong caretaker of many family members and friends.
Elsie is survived by her daughter, Phyllis Werger and husband Gregg of Casper, Wyoming; her son, Phil Huffman of Dodge City, Kansas; grandchildren, Sarah Brogden of Ellis, Kassie Cobley of Denver and Megan (Cole) Gerlach of Scott City. Elsie had a special place in her heart for Mike and Sharon Weigel and their three daughters, Sheldon Bennett, Justine Evans and Graci Weigel as well as numerous great grandchildren and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Roy Huffman, David Ehrlich and Dale Beiser; brothers, Wendell, Gerhard, Henry, and Reinhard Keller; and sisters, Hilda Young and Johanna Myers.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis.
Visitation will be Tuesday 9 AM - 11 AM at the church.
Services will be livestreamed by selecting the Facebook Live tab from our web site www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com. Streaming will start shortly before service time.
Memorial contributions are suggested to The Ellis High School Alumni Museum, The Ellis Railroad Museum or St John Lutheran Church.
Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel, 400 E. 17th, Ellis, KS 67637.
Condolences may be shared by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com