Obituary: Cartee, Elsie Marie
Age 89
Funeral services will take place at Messiah Lutheran Church in Spokane on May 23, 2015 at 11 AM.
Elsie was born Else Marie Torhaug in Meldal, Norway March 31, 1926.
She came to Canada as a 2 1/2 year old with her 23 year old mother Mathea aboard the Swedish Steam Ship SS Bergesfjord.
Elsie graduated number six in her class of 22 from Simms High School in Simms, Montana in 1944.
She then went to work at Gore Field Air Base as a clerk typist till the end of WWII.
While working at Gore Field she met a handsome Texan, Jack Cartee.
They were married March 1945, and she remained devotedly married to Jack for 60 years until his passing July 10, 2005 in Spokane.
She was proud to become a Naturalized U.S. Citizen August 20, 1946 in Great Falls and yet also was proud of her Norwegian heritage.
Elsie is survived by her six children: Jack and wife Kathy of Stanwood, WA; Floyd and wife Tina of Deer Park, WA; Linda Reimer and husband Bob of Redmond, WA; Duaine of Spokane; Elaine of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Shawn and wife Debbie of Spokane.
She has 14 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.
Elsie and Jack lived in Great Falls from 1944 till 1964.
Elsie and Jack with 5 of their children moved to Spokane, WA in 1964.
Son Shawn was born in Spokane.
She was very artistic, crocheting and knitting wonderful items for family members.
After her husband Jack’s death, Elsie continued to be a supportive mother and grandmother, and a faithful member of the Lutheran Church.
Her inner light touched the lives of all who knew her.
She now resides in God’s hands and heart.