Nellie Maye Elsner

NELLIE MAYE (Barnett) ELSNER was born June 8, 1922 in Eden Texas to Robert and Maye Barnett. She grew up in Artesia NM with her brothers George and Bob. Nellie worked in the library and in the local soda shop. In 1943, she was working as a US Air Force Aircraft Instrument Mechanic. On October 10, 1943 Nellie married Burton Elsner. They moved to Elbert Colorado, where Nellie retired as a postal clerk.

Nellie loved nature and spent time with Burt hunting, fishing, working on their farm and gardening. In Elbert, she was well known for her rock wall garden that ran the full length of their home. Nellie also spent time in their flower garden, vegetable garden and apple orchard. Nellie could spend many hours gardening and passed her love of nature and the outdoors to her kids and grandkids. Nellie also enjoyed the yearly trips she took with Burt to the B29 reunions and continued these trips with her daughter Sheryl after Burt passed away. Nellie, Sheryl and daughter Adene also took many trips to Artesia NM to visit family.

Nellie died peacefully at home of natural causes with her daughter Sheryl nearby. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Maye Barnett; husband Burton Elsner; brothers George and Bob Barnett and daughter Adene Elsner. Nellie is survived by daughter Sheryl Reed and husband Charles of Colorado Springs and Samantha Overton and husband Paul of Colorado Springs. Nellie is also survived by granddaughters Terri Vassios of Denver; Kellie Reed of Colorado Springs and Samantha Overton and husband Paul of Colorado Springs, along with great grandchildren Shyanne, Autumn, Ireland and Paul and with one great.great grandchild Donte. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Elbert Presbyterian Church, Elbert Colorado, August 22, 2015 at 1 p.m.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Elbert Presbyterian Church, Alzheimer's Association or Pikes Peak Hospice. Thank you