Elsie Wanner

Funeral services for Elsie Wanner, 87, of Dickinson, who died June 1, will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, June 5, 2006, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson followed by burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, June 4, from 12:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. with rosary and vigil at 7:00 p. m. at Stevenson-Mischel-Olson Chapel. Visitation will continue on Monday, June 5, from 8:00 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. at Stevenson-Mischel-Olson Chapel. Elsie Ann Wanner, the daughter of Frank R. and Rose (Tintera) Ridl, was born in rural Stark County on August 19, 1918. She began her education in country school and continued in public schools after the family moved into Dickinson when Elsie was eight. She met her future husband, Mike, at the St. Charles Hotel in Dickinson where they were both employed. Elsie moved for a time to Grand Forks and was employed there while Mike attended NDSU. When he joined the army and was sent to basic training, she followed to Little Rock, Arkansas where the couple was married on December 2, 1944 at Camp Pendleton. Elsie returned to Dickinson while Mike was stationed overseas. When he returned from Italy, the couple moved to Yakima, Washington and in 1950, back to Dickinson where they continued raising their family. Elsie was very active in the Catholic Community and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She was a member of St. Ann’s Auxiliary and Christian Mothers and held various offices in these organizations. In addition, she was a member of St. Ann’s Study Club and the First Parish Council of St. Joseph’s. Elsie served as a Junior Catholic Daughter leader and also Court Chairman. She participated in church activities as a CCD teacher for 16 years, daily lector, rosary leader, choir member and made church banners. Elsie volunteered her time at the St. Joseph’s School Library and was a judge and clerk at the election polls. She enjoyed reading, crafts, cross-word puzzles, sewing and cooking. Elsie also enjoyed traveling, especially on the several chartered bus tours she and Mike took to several different areas around the country and in Canada. Above all else, Elsie loved being surrounded by her family. She enjoyed cooking for them and never grew tired of playing board games and entertaining the grandchildren. Elsie is survived by two sons, David (Pattii) Wanner, Englewood, CO; Bob Wanner, Dickinson, ND: two daughters, Mary Ellen (Rick) Bender, Mandan, ND; Charlotte Jones, Denver, CO; ten grandchildren, Fay (Andy) Urbana, Highlands Ranch, CO: Kelly Kraft, Sioux Falls, SD; Kyle Kraft, Mobile, AL: Jessie (Steven) Gutsch, Highlands Ranch CO; Teresa Wanner, Denver, CO; Wyatt Ehli, Bismarck, ND; Rebecca Wanner, Denver, CO; Kaleb Jones, Denver, CO; Carlie Wanner, Dickinson, ND; Ashley Wanner, Dickinson, ND; and nine great-grandchildren, Ashton Kraft, Devin Wanner, Alex Wanner, Madison Urbana, Anikah Norton, Ben Urbana, Kyleigh Kraft, Ethan Gutsch, and Seth Wanner. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Mike, her dear sister and best friend, Julia Kudrna, and a beloved daughter-in-law, Cindy Wanner. We love and miss you, Mom.


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Burial Date: June 5, 2006
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Monday, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson