Elsie was born October 31, 1917 to Ira and Ethel (Dye) Lee in Wagoner County, Oklahoma. She married Ulys Deatherage on June 25, 1940.
In 1941 Elsie Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education, from Northwestern State College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and began her teaching career.
The couple moved to Montana in 1950 and then to Yakima in 1952. Elsie took a teaching position at the Armstrong School where she taught the first four grades in a two-room school. In 1956, the family moved to Selah where Elsie began teaching first grade at John Campbell School.
During her summer months, Elsie attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg and earned Master’s Degrees in reading and math. During her tenure at John Campbell, Elsie invented a board game to help her students in reading and math. Her son Mike later used the game with his students.
After retiring, Elsie learned to paint and many of her paintings grace the walls of family and friends.
Elsie was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. She used her teaching skills in Sunday school and vacation bible school.
Elsie is survived by her daughter, Arlene Owens of Yakima, sons Mike (Diana) Deatherage of Selah, and Jeff (Norma) Deatherage of Savannah, Tennessee. 9 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, a brother in law, nieces, and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her husband of 61 years, (Ulys); son Ron Deatherage, daughter in law Cassie Deatherage, son in law James Owens and granddaughter April Robertson.
The family would like to thank Crescent Health Care for the wonderful care they gave her.
Visitation will be Monday, November 18, 2019 from 9:00-10:00 am, with a Funeral Service to follow at 10:00 am at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. Graveside Committal to follow at West Hills Memorial Park.
