Lifetime Sandy resident, Elsie Spaller Ekwall died at Portland Adventist Medical Center on Monday, December 13, 2010. She was 91.
A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday December 21, 2010 at 12:00 Noon in the chapel of Sandy Funeral Home. A committal service will follow at Cliffside Cemetery. A viewing will be held prior to the service starting at 9:00 a.m.
She was born, Elsie Pauline Fischer to Ernest and Elizabeth (Sladky) Fischer in Sandy on September 7, 1919. She was raised and received her schooling in Sandy. Shortly after graduating from Sandy High School in 1937, Elsie was united in marriage to Otto John Spaller on September 20, 1937 in Vancouver, Washington. They made their home in Sandy and began their family. Elsie worked as a nanny and housekeeper for many Sandy business professionals and their families and also worked at Sandy Grade School for several years in the lunch room. Elsie and Otto were later divorced. Years later, she married Clarence Ekwall. He preceded her in death in the late 1980’s.
Elsie took great joy in spending time with her family and friends. She was actively involved with the Sandy Historical Society and volunteered her time at the Sandy Quilt Show. She looked forward to the Sandy Mountain Days every year as she would spend hours in the park visiting with family and friends. Elsie also enjoyed traveling both near and far and would always be up for an outing.
Surviving are her daughters, Joyce Burdick of Sandy, Janet Fox and her husband Ben of Milwaukie; 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. She is preceded in death by 1 brother and 2 sisters.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Sandy Historical Society.