Elsie L. Siedschlaw

** VIDEO TRIBUTE CAN BE VIEWED BELOW ** Elsie Laura Siedschlaw, 100, died April 23rd at Morning Star Senior Living in Billings, MT. Elsie was previously a resident of Spearfish, SD for 42 years. Elsie was born March 23, 1916 in Hosmer, SD to Adam and Magdalena Martel and was one of 12 children. She grew up on the family farm east of McLaughlin, SD and attended a rural country school through 8th grade. They went to school in a one-horse drawn buggy. In the winter, her dad made a sled with heated rocks to keep their feet warm. To attend high school, she lived with other families in McLaughlin. She met Charlton “Chuck” Siedschlaw of Lemmon, SD while he was home on break from Nettleton Business School. They were married on November 20, 1935. Chuck was a section foreman on the Milwaukee Railroad and they lived in various towns “along the line,” including Cadillac, SD, Wakpala, SD, McIntosh, SD, and Hettinger, ND. Over the years, Elsie was active in several community organizations and was an active member in the Congregational- United Church of Christ in Spearfish. She was a member of the Naomi Circle and served as church treasurer and member of the choir. While living in McIntosh, SD she was active in the Extension Club and the Dakota Kids 4-H Club where she was the sewing leader. Elsie shared that she was taught how to sew by her mother and became a “professional seamstress.” Over the years she made a variety of clothing for her children and grandchildren. She designed wedding dresses and altered clothing for numerous clients well into her 90’s. Several of her projects included making all the curtains for the McIntosh School, for the Spearfish theatre and assisting JoAnn in the Costume Dept. for Spearfish College (University). She even tackled the task of designing and creating headdresses for show horses. While living in Spearfish, Elsie worked at Sparrow’s Bakery for many years. Both Elsie and Chuck helped to spearhead the fundraising for the Spearfish Senior Center, where she served as director for many years. Elsie was a member of the RSVP and an active member of the 4-Part Senior Choir which performed for President Clinton at Mt. Rushmore. Elsie loved being a member of the “Happy Times” Band, performing for many local functions and senior living facilities until her move to Billings in August of 2012 due to health reasons. Elsie is fondly remembered by her friends and family for her wonderful cooking and baking skills, especially her famous cinnamon rolls, strudel, and apple pies from her own backyard trees. She loved gardening and doing crafts. She and Chuck spent many hours playing cards in their card club. She was known for her hospitality and would be known to say, “Come sit a spell.” When asked about how she had managed to live so long, she would say, “Work awhile and sit awhile.” (However, her friends and family would say it was because she was so feisty!) Elsie and Chuck had 4 children. In 1970, Chuck retired and they made their home in Spearfish where they continued to be involved in both community and church service. Elsie is survived by her one son, Lyle (Mary Lynn) of Apopka, FL and daughter JoAnn (Rick Bartsch) of Billings. She was preceded in death by a son Jimmy (1944), her husband Chuck (1993), and daughter LaVerne (Tom Huffman) in 2005. Elsie was the last surviving sibling of her family including her brothers, Albert Martell (Evelyn), Helmuth Martel (Erna), Eugene Martell (Tillie) and sisters Edna (Burt Bruse), and Viola (Leonard “Rueben” Stugelmeyer). Six of the babies died in infancy. She has 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be on Saturday, April 30th ,2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish. Burial will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. Visitation will be held 5 to 7 pm Friday, at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church.