Elsie Marie Hofen Schwiethale was born Nov. 5, 1917, on her father's birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lillie Showalter Hofen, of Sylvia, Kan., in Reno County; husband, Laurence Schwiethale; sisters, Alberta and Juanita; brothers, Laverne, Harold and Laurel Hofen; and son, Larry Schwiethale.

Elsie grew up in Sylvia, Kan., graduated from Sylvia High School in 1936, and married Laurence Schwiethale Aug. 12, 1937. Elsie and Laurence had two sons, Larry Eugene and Harold Dean. They moved to Hutchinson in 1946. In Dec. of 1980, Elsie retired from Sears after 25 years. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, belonged to Progressive Sunday School class, and United Methodist Women's Circle. Elsie lived independently after the death of her husband in 1981, until her death in 2011.

She is survived by: her son, Harold Schwiethale of Hutchinson, Kan.; granddaughter, Shelly Calderon of Glendale, Ariz.; grandson, Dereck Schwiethale of Port Angeles, Wash.; granddaughter, Sonja Hyde of Glendale, Ariz.; great-grandsons, Ryan White of Phoenix, Ariz., Seth Schwiethale of Chicago, Ill., Zac Schwiethale of Seattle, Wash.; Levi Schwiethale of Port Angeles, Wash.; Christian Richards of Phoenix, Ariz.; five great great-grandchildren, Kyle Hyde, Justin Richards, Elexis, BriAnna and Taylor White. Elsie was a beautiful and independent woman, who lived life to the fullest. She was loved by and will be missed by her family and friends.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at Elliott Mortuary Chapel, with Rev. Mark Conard presiding. Burial will follow in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice House or the charity of your choice. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for Elsie's family. "It's not the sunset. It's the dawn."