Obituary

Elsie L. LaGree 85, died Wednesday (Feb. 24, 2010) at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton. She was born on Dec. 31, 1924, in Newton to Eli and Nancy (Branson) Butts. On June 11, 1941, she married Willard LaGree in Newton. He preceded her in death on March 15, 1969. Elsie was a dietary aide at the former Bethel Hospital until her retirement. She was a big-hearted, kind person and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Elsie looked forward to spending time with her loving family and friends. She especially enjoyed all her friends she made at swim class while living at Kidron Bethel. She is survived by two sons: Thomas LaGree, and Gary LaGree and his wife Mary Ellen, all of Newton; grandchildren, Tammy and Joe Foudray, Ryan LaGree, Annie and Rob Ahlgrim, Michael Goering, Marlin and Melissa Koslowsky, and Tim and Hannah Goering; great-grandchildren, Janae, Morgan, Megan and Dustin Foudray, Eli and Nathan Ahlgrim, Maggie and Jake Koslowsky, and Aiden Goering; sisters, Edna Oursler of Peabody, Esther Reams of Newton and Velida Sequine of Shawnee Mission. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Willard, son Stanley LaGree, daughters Diane and Gloria LaGree, daughter-in-law Goldie LaGree, brother Delmar Butts, sister Thelma Giles and two grandchildren, Ellis and Tommy LaGree. A graveside inurnment service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton with Chaplain Denny Bell presiding. Memorials may be left with the American Heart Association in care of Petersen Funeral Home.