Elsie Jeanette Hanson, daughter of Otto and Clara (Knutson) Hanson, was born June 6, 1920 in Starbuck, MN. She was raised in Langhei Township and graduated from Benson High School in 1938. Elsie worked at Twin City Ordinance Plant in New Brighton, MN and a Printing Company as a bookkeeper during the 40's. Later she worked at Fisher Contracting Company in Phoenix, Arizona in the Accounting Department. Elsie married Clarence Jones on March 16, 1955 in Phoenix, AZ. While Clarence was in the US Army, they lived in Germany and Kansas, before settling in Waukegan, Illinois, where they lived about 25 years. In 1983, she retired from the Waukegan Township Office, where she worked as a bookkeeper until moving to Starbuck.
Elsie was a member of Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, the Women of ELCA and the VFW Auxiliary. She enjoyed flower gardening and quilting was her hobby.
Elsie died peacefully on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck, having lived to reach the age of 87 years.
She is survived by her husband: Clarence Jones of Starbuck; one son: David (Marie) Jones of Boulder Junction, WI; three daughters: Jeanne (Lou) Milewski of Waukegan, IL, Lori (Paul) Gruenwald of Gresham, OR and Jan (Wayne) Slusher of Silverdale, WA; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one niece: Lynn Sowers and two nephews: Mike Hudson and Tom Davis all of Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters: Agnes Brevig and Orla Davis.
Pallbearers for the service are: Wayne Knutson, Keith Knutson, Wayne Slusher, Lou Milewski, Eric Jones and Gary Hewitt. Monica Gosseling will be serving as organist for the service with Vic Vatthauer serving as soloist. Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.