Elsie Green

Elsie Green peacefully entered eternity on April 23, 2018, with family and friends by her side.Born on March 16, 1927 to Leslie and Ann (Olson) Eckert, Elsie Ione Eckert enjoyed her childhood on the family farm up the hill from Eckert Lake in Grove Lake Township, Minnesota. Elsie recounted many fond memories on the farm with her five older sisters and relatives nearby. Around the age of 8, Elsie moved to Bigfork, MN where she stayed with her sisters and families through her teenage years.Elsie then moved to International Falls, MN. She worked at Woolworths and through mutual friends met the love of her life, John (Doc) Green. Together they attended Bible Camp in Big Falls and reflected upon those years with joy. John and Elsie were married on July 5, 1952 and moved to AL where John served in the Army before returning back to International Falls. Their son Tim was born two years later, with sons Dan and Dave joining the family in the years following.Elsie, John, and their sons made their homes in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana while John finished his doctorate and held research and professorship positions. Each move and transitions were a "next adventure" for the family. They had many adventures in road trips, traveling, camping, exploring, and bonding; with family and with friends. Elsie loved road trips and was always planning the next one. John and Elsie made their last home in Baraboo, WI in 1991 where they enjoyed many years of retired bliss and fun with family and friends.Elsie was an excellent hostess. She hosted with great joy. She and John delighted in making their home an open, revolving door so that everyone who entered left as family. Helping and encouraging others in life, along with hospitality, were integral parts of who they were as individuals and as a family.Elsie and John were involved in and dedicated to church through all their years together. They were intentional about spurring on the younger generations and loved having the presence of youth in their home.Elsie's pride and joy was her family. She always made sure her family felt loved, valued, and cared for. Family time always included lots of fun, laughter, and rowdy games of Cribbage and Skip-bo. She put up with (and returned) many practical jokes and teasing by her husband, sons and grandchildren, and she loved every minute of it.Elsie breathed God's love out to one and all, with a heavenly spunk and zest for life that was with her to the end. Even in her final days with us, she touched the hearts of those caring for her with grace, gratitude, faith, and love.Elsie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John (Doc) in February 2016, as well as her dear older sisters, their husbands, and her parents.Elsie leaves behind three sons, Tim and Carolyn, Dan and Sheila, all of Baraboo, and Dave of Cocoa Beach, FL; grandchildren Katie, Allyson, Zach, Amy, Kenyon, Branson, Sarah and Brad Solchenberger and children Baylee, Bristol and baby #3, and Nichole and Ryan Needham and children Weston, Amelia, Cora, Ava and Cooper.The Green family would like to thank the staff at St. Clare Hospital and Hospice House who cared for Elsie and our entire family during her stay. A special thank you to her dear friend Marilyn Taylor, her church family and friends who supported us, loved us, and stayed by Elsie's side in her final days.A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday June 30, 2018 at 11:00 AM at New Life Community Church located at 1919 Elizabeth St. in Baraboo, WI with luncheon to follow.