Elsie (Kern) Cunningham, age 72, died at her home on the Pease Bottom between Custer and Hysham, Montana, on January 26, 2016.
Elsie was born July 22, 1943 to Wayne and Margaret Kern. She grew up in Huntley and in the Pryor area, graduating from Edgar High School in 1961. Throughout the rest of her life she remained friends with several of her schoolmates.
Shortly after high school, Elsie married Gary Cunningham of Hysham, whom she had met on a blind date (though Elsie’s mother didn’t approve of blind dates, she did warm up to Gary as the years went by!). Elsie and Gary settled in for life on the Cunningham Ranch at the site of the historical Fort Pease, which was built in 1875 as one of the earliest US trading/soldier forts in the area. Elsie was always proud to recount the history of the place to an interested listener.
Elsie and Gary raised four children: Jason (Allyson), Twila (Dan Dean), Janelle (Blaine Velenchenko), and Tiffany (Stacey Ogren). Elsie was the ultimate homemaker. She loved decorating her house and making plans to remodel it, and she is remembered as a fantastic cook and baker and a wonderful quilter and seamstress. Even on the day she left us for heaven, Elsie had her famous homemade bread ready in the kitchen and pieces of quilts she was making for her grandsons spread out on the dining room table.
As their kids were growing up, Elsie and Gary loved spiffing up the family’s camper and boat and heading to Yellowtail Dam for a weekend of water-skiing. When her kids were in school, Elsie cheered them through years of basketball games and the 4-H fair, and she followed daughter Tiffany to many a college rodeo. As granddaughter Kayla was growing up, Elsie always made sure to get her to dance class and choir practice.
Through the years Elsie enjoyed working with Gary on the ranch, at Bernina Sewing Center in Billings, and for the US Census. But she was in her true calling when she was doing something kind for friend, family, or neighbor. Elsie was always happy to host a baby shower or bridal shower or birthday party. She’d be right there making beds when a new neighbor was moving in. Countless times she made homemade cinnamon rolls for the basketball or rodeo team to enjoy on the road. She could always be counted on to babysit for a few hours, and often she took a delicious meal to friends in need.
Elsie loved the Christmas season and spent all year preparing for it, hunting for bargains on her weekly shopping trips to Billings, sewing pillowcases for everyone on her lo-o-o-ong gift list, meticulously wrapping each package she gave — and sometimes she even left the tree up all year long!
In recent years Elsie and Gary were enjoying their herd of Red Angus cattle, gardening with their grandkids, and several times embarked on cruise adventures with their dear Hysham friends the Foxes. Other community families Elsie treated as her own include the Reddings, Griersons, and Arviks.
Elsie was thoughtful and sweet with a smile that sparkled. But she will be best remembered as a feisty defender of her loved ones, as an opinionated lady concerned for our country, and as a believer in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.
Elsie is preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Margaret Kern, and by Gary’s parents Ted and Florence Cunningham. She is survived by her husband, her children and their spouses, granddaughter Kayla, and her other grandchildren: Garet and Isaac Cunningham of Soda Springs, Idaho; Dexter, Maggie, and Dawson Dean of Helena, Montana; Aaron, Talia, and Kandyce Velenchenko of Shepherd, Montana; and Rylee and Colt Ogren of the family ranch. She is also survived by her brothers Rubert (Mary) Kern and Frank (Ellen) Kern, all of Pryor, and her sisters-in-law Mary Cunningham of Normal, Illinois and Helen Neal of Corinth, Texas.
There will be a visitation Sunday, January 31 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, with the family receiving friends from 4 to 6. The funeral service will be held Monday, February 1 at 11 a.m. at the Hysham Catholic Church, with burial at the Rancher Cemetery. Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home of Forsyth has been entrusted with these arrangements. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of donations, the family thinks Elsie would prefer if you vote NO for Hillary in her memory.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday January 31, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday January 31, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday February 1, 2016
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday January 31, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sunday January 31, 2016
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln.
Forsyth, MT 59327
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Monday February 1, 2016
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Hysham, MT 59038
Share
Jay and Nicole Blankenship says
I’m so sorry to hear this! Elsie was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed! Our prayers will be with her family. God bless you all!
Prayers- Jay and Nicole Blankenship
Kerry and mark mccullough says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family.
Butch Schulenberg says
Gary : Sorry for your loss. She was a very nice lady. It was always nice to visit with Her. Our thoughts and prayers are with You and Family , in this time of sorrow.
Pat and Vicki says
Gary and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are out of town until Sunday but will see you soon
Harold says
Great woman and friend will be missed by all ,God bless the family from the Harold Hert family !!
Barb DeCock says
Gary, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Tammy Bauer says
Gary and family. I was so shocked to hear about Elsie. I have been visiting with my kids about all the good times we shared. I am in Houston staying with Alaina for the next few weeks. All my children have you in their thoughts and prayers. I wish I could be there. Love and prayers. Tammy
Jack and Kirsten(Belgarde) Crocker says
To the Cunningham Family, so sorry for your lose. Else was a wonderful lady, also had a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Shaunna Pierce says
Cunningham family, I was so sad to hear about Elsie. She and all of you have always been so kind to me and mine. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her and since she was such a gracious ranch wife and hostess the numbers of her friends are legion.
Tobi Johnson says
I am saddened to hear that Elsie has passed. She was a sweet lady. I’m sending you lots of prayers and warms thoughts.
Bruce and Kaye Pallante says
Kaye and I send our condolences. While we did not know Elsie we did know one of her fine sons. I think that raising children is a testament to anyone’s commitment and selflessness.
Lisa Criswell says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kayla, I am thinking of you. May you be comforted with the precious memories and God’s love. Take care.
Kathy Koon says
Gary and family:
We were saddened to hear about Elsie. We felt we knew her very well through the Fox family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will treasure the memories of the bridal and baby showers she had for Leann . We also remember the cruise we were on together. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.
Ed and Kathy Koon
Travis and Sheraun Naef & Girls says
Cunningham Family, We send all of you our fondest condolences during the loss of your wife, mom, grandma and sister! Our hearts are filled with sorrow for all your family! We had the privilege to meet Elsie just a few years ago. She was such a kind, beautiful lady! May all your loving memories of her ease your minds during this difficult time and may you all find comfort and strength in the warmth and caring of friends and family! Please know our loving thoughts are with all of you!
Mary Schaefer says
Tiffany and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember many times going to a rodeo and Elsie sitting in the stands cheering Tiffany on!! Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sheryl Ward Swanson says
I am so sorry – Elsie left us much too soon. Pease Bottom won’t be the same without her – she will be missed!
Sharon Wetsch says
I am so sorry for your loss. Elsie was a wonderful seamstress and a nice person.
She will be missed. Prayers for all of you.
Patti Hanley says
Gary and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We three girls have a lot of fond memories of the Cunningham family and ranch. Elsie was a dear friend of our Mom and Dad. Our thought and prayers are with you.
Willems Daughters
Lana Craig says
Beautiful tribute to a beautiful lady. My condolences to her family and her many friends. Lana Craig, Scottsdale AZ
harold & belva arvik says
Gary, Jason, Twila, Janelle, Tiff and families,
What a precious friendship our families have shared all these years……so many kind things Elsie did for all of us……so many wonderfully fun memories. Our hearts are heavy with her loss. Know that we are always here to help in any way we can. God Bless.
Harold, Belva, and family
Janet Jensen says
Elsie will be missed every minute of every day, of every year. She was the center of your family…know we are grieving with you all.
Prokop's says
Gary and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time.
God Bless~
Rich, Shari, and Kailey Prokop
Scott, Maria & Boys says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Wonderful lady and great family. Elsie taught me to sew & I was very proud of my first & only quilt…I smile just thinking of all the stories she told me of Jason, Monte and Scott back in the day! Love &Hugs.
Maria
Queeda Ferguson says
So sorry for the loss of Elsie. prayers to you all, it’s a hard time to go through but remember it’s not if you will see her again, but when.
Kimber Emmons says
A huge loss for your family and the Hysham community as well. My heart goes out to all of you and my family sends you love and strength to see you through the coming days. I will always remember Elsie with a smile! ~ the Emmons Family, Brett, Kimber, Chi, ~Kenna~, Cale, Kensi, Caty and Karlee
Coleen Hert Lind says
Elsie was beyond special. So sorry to hear she is gone. Love and prayers to all the family.
Shane & Shawn Strecker says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Elsie’s family.
Wendy Bekkkedahl says
Tiffany,
Sorry for the loss of your mom. I sure got a kick out of the last line of the obituary… vote no for Hilary 🙂 I know you will have her memories in your heart and signs of her will come around for you to see or feel for the rest of your life.
Wendy (Badgett) , Ross, Wade and Ruby Bekkedahl
Laurel MT
Frank Morales says
To Gary and The family….
I was deeply saddened to hear about your loss. I will always remember Elsie from the 4-H days and her Famous Cinnamon Rolls, even though it’s been 30+ years since eating one…the memory is there! She was a great person from my memory of the Meyers Valley days when I lived there and I offer my greatest condolences to you during this saddened time.
May God Bless you all and sorry for your loss.
Frank Morales
Mannheim, Germany
Mike, Donna, Amy and Adam Hardtke says
Gary, our deepest condolenses to you, family and friends. We had such a great time with you two when ever we meant, We wish we would have made it to your home more often. Elsie was such a spirited soul and along with you, always made us feel like family. God Bless you and your family and know that you are all in our prays!!!
Tayvee Steen says
Our thoughts and prayers our with you all! Love Tayvee and Kevin Steen and Family
Lloyd & Betty Carroll says
Gary & Family, Our sincere sympathy to you and all of the family. We got acquainted through our children in their high shcool days, we always enjoyed Elsie’s friendly smile and conversation when we met up at the ball games. We are so sorry for your loss and are thinking of all of you at this sad time, Peace be with you.
Karrol (Bagley) Williams & Family says
Tiffany and Family, please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God wrap his arms around you and hold you close today and all the days ahead. Cherish all of the memories of your mom.
Nick& Betty Clauson says
Gary, I never had the privilege to meet Elsie, I only knew here by reputation. A fine lady by all reports. I can’t imagine what life is like when you lose your spouse of many years, but know that many prayers are being sent on your behalf and your family. Sincerely, Nick & Betty Clauson
Sandy & Jim Almond says
Gary and family-
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We remember the ballgames at Billings Central with Tiffany and Elsie, many good times while we were in “Pease Bottom” during our “ranching days”. Elsie was always a generous and sunny presence. She will be greatly missed! May she rest in peace.
Charlene murphy says
I’m so sorry for your family.She was such a nice lady & fun to visit with. Hugs & prayers to you all.
Sonja Crocker says
So sorry to hear about Elsie. We spent a lot of time together through 4-H. May she be at peace with the Angels.
Keith and Lin BOTTJEN says
We are going to miss the good times we had when Elsie would come over and visit while she was in town. she was a real jewel!