Elsie Mae Gritchen, longtime resident of Wanham, AB, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, at the age of 90 years.

Elsie was born in Grande Prairie, AB, on November 4, 1932. She was raised at Red Willow, AB, until 1940, when the family moved to Penticton, BC. Elsie returned to the Peace Country in the 1960’s.

She worked a variety of jobs: driving school bus, working security, driving gravel truck, and at one time she ran a small restaurant in Wanham.

Elsie loved to garden and she kept a meticulous yard. She would pick rocks and gather wild flowers to put in her yard from her travels.

She was a wonderful artist, loved to travel, gardening, reading, and working on the family genealogy.

Elsie will be dearly missed by her children: Elaine (Al) Webb and Jim (Terry) Gritchen; grandchildren: Shauna (Wade), Lyle, Jennifer (Matt), Melissa (Tim), Jeremy (Athena), and David (Gillian); great-grandchildren: Kymberlyn, Shanetaya, Justice, Dominic, Isaac, Lucas, Fletcher, Casey, and Lexington; great great-grandchild Kaisley; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Elsie was predeceased by her father Anthony Schanuel; mother Juanita Schanuel; as well as her daughter Julie Anne LeRose.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to Dr. Pope, and Elsie’s extended family Julie (Jack) DeShane and Michelle (Eric).

As per Elsie’s request, there will be no Funeral or Celebration of Life held.