Obituary of Thelma Joyce Elder

Thelma Joyce (Brack) Elder, age 87, passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2020, at Chisholm Place in Wichita, Kansas. Thelma was born May 22, 1932, at Garden City, Kansas, the daughter and seventh child of Daniel & Marie (Riffel) Brack. Thelma attended and graduated from the Wichita County School System, then known as WCCHS. Thelma was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Leoti up until being diagnosed with the onset of dementia. She served on numerous church boards and was always willing and present to help with cooking, serving and preparing church fellowship dinners and meals to shut-ins. She was also active in the Missionary Society for many years. Thelma was the pianist for several years at the church and even taught herself to play the organ. Thelma had many wonderful credentials. She was a fantastic cook and seamstress, but above all, she was a faithful and loving wife to her farmer husband, whom she worked many hours alongside. She was a loving and caring mother who will greatly be missed. On October 7, 1950, she married the love of her life, Ellsworth E. (Red) Elder in Raton, New Mexico. Red passed away in February of 1996. They had shared 45 years of marriage together. Thelma’s surviving family includes- Two Children, Deandra & Jim Gittlein of Decatur, Arkansas and Dennis Elder of Roosevelt, Arizona. Two grandchildren- Lacy & Pete Williams of Wichita, Kansas and Garrett and Amanda Gittlein of Gravette, Arkansas, and four great-grandchildren- Cohen Williams of Wichita, Kansas, and Mason, Colson and Madison Gittlein of Gravette, Arkansas. Her parents, husband, and six siblings precede her in death. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, March 7, 2020, at Leoti Cemetery in Leoti, Kansas with Pastor Kyle Evans officiating. Friends may call from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Friday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas. The family has requested that no flowers be given. Memorials may be given to the Thelma Elder memorial fund in care of the funeral home.