With the exception of three years, from 1971 to 1974, when she lived with her family in Flagstaff, Arizona, Elsie lived entirely in Yuma. She was a dedicated employee for her employers, most notably with the Yuma Union High School District as an administrative assistant at Yuma High School. Elsie was a faithful and continuous member of St. Francis Church where she performed many years as a volunteer worker. Elsie was also a golf fanatic and picked up the game when in her sixties and enjoyed many years of golf with her husband Jesse, family and friends as a member of Yuma Golf and Country Club. She and Jesse spent their retirement years living close to the Country Club and many of their close friends. She enjoyed hosting a “happy hour” every Friday evening on her back porch for family and friends and did so up until this past year.
Survivors include daughters Debbie McKeown (Dennis) of Sierra Vista, AZ and Margaret Barkley, Sierra Vista, AZ, sons Gary Steen, Mesa, AZ, Bobby Steen (Blanche) of Chandler, AZ, Tony Steen (Ranae) of Yuma, and Greg Steen, Phoenix, AZ. Elsie has 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jesse J. Steen, Son Jesse J. Steen,, brother John Dallabetta and sister Patsy Brown.
Memorial services are being provided by Johnson Mortuary. A Wake will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 6pm to 8pm at Johnson Mortuary. Funeral services for Elsie will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at St. Francis Church with Mass beginning at 10:30am. Burial will follow Mass at Desert Lawn.
Pallbearers will be grandchildren Shawn McKeown, Kevin McKeown, Greg Barkley, Geoff Barkley, Drew Steen and Craig Steen. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Steen and Jesse Steen.
