Elsie Jane Uphoff, 92, of Peabody, passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Asbury Park in Newton.

Elsie was born Nov. 1, 1918, in Long-lane Mo. to Gillespie E. and Eva (Lawson) Brown.

When Elsie was 2 years old, the family moved to Kansas, where her dad worked in the oil fields. Elsie attended church with her family and was baptized when she was a child.

The family moved to Texas when Elsie was in grade school. Two years later the family returned to Kansas.

Elsie attended her first two years of high school in El Dorado, graduating from Peabody High School in 1937.

Immediately following graduation she was united in marriage to Elmer (Bus) Uphoff.

To this union four children were born: Bob, Frank, Joyce and Linda. Bus passed away in 1989.

Bus and Elsie celebrated a 50th wedding anniversary and were married a total of 52 years. Two years ago Elsie was the guest of honor at a reception celebrating her 90th birthday.

Elsie loved to knit, crochet, and do craft work. She worked hard caring for her family. Elsie loved to cook, and she and Bus always had large gardens when the children were growing up.

The family moved into Peabody in the early ’60s. Elsie worked at Mrs. Franklin’s Cafe and was operator of the Peabody Hotel Cafe. She also worked in the bakery department at Jim’s Jack and Jill grocery.

Elsie enjoyed her family: children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and one great- great-grandchild. She often reported, with pride, of her family’s activities. She endured sadness in the passing of her son Frank in 1997.

Elsie loved living in her home in Peabody and was able to remain there because of the kindness of her friends when she was unable to get out and do for herself.

She loved small animals and would have liked to have had a cat or dog but settled for the very life-like stuffed cat Bob gave her!

Elsie lived in her home in Peabody until a month ago, when she was hospitalized in Newton for six days, and then lived at Asbury Park for 31 days.

She is survived by son Bob Uphoff and wife, Elba, of Newton; daughters Joyce Luke of Shawnee Mission and Linda DeHart and husband, Jeff, of Wichita; Frank’s wife, Gerry Uphoff, of lola; 10 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; sister Blanche Cowan and brother Bill Brown.

A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Peabody. The Rev. Marilyn Cox officiated.

Memorials have been established with Harry Hynes Hospice of Newton and the Peabody Senior Center.