Wilson, Elsie Grabin

Elsie Grabin Wilson

Elsie Annette Grabin Wilson, 91, of Oxford, died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at Lantern Park Care Center in Coralville. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 23, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford, with Father Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial will in Grabin Cemetery, rural Oxford. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, where a vigil service will be held at 6 p.m.

Elsie was born Oct. 31, 1920, in Johnson County, the daughter of Frank “Scout” and Elizabeth Erusha Grabin. She was a graduate of Oxford High School and Capitol City Commercial College in Des Moines. Elsie proudly served her country in the U.S. Army Women's Air Corps in Santa Ana, Calif., from 1943-1945.

Elsie lived in Cedar Rapids and was employed as office manager and bookkeeper at Welty-Way Products there for 29 years, retiring in 1979. On Nov. 11, 1977, Elsie married Joseph B. Wilson in Iowa City, and they resided north of Oxford for 26 years.

Elsie had a strong faith in her Savior and was a devout member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She loved to take long walks and enjoyed dancing, especially to waltzes and polkas. She traveled extensively in the United States and to many countries abroad. Elsie took every opportunity she could to spend time with her parents and sister and her brothers and their families. She was an attentive and loving aunt to her nieces and nephews and took them on many trips with her.

Elsie's cheerful, humorous, good nature, and optimistic spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Elsie is survived by her brother, Ray (Dorothy) Grabin of Oxford; her sister, Betty Mae Grabin of Coralville; seven nieces and nephews, Gayle Stratton, Debbie (Dean) LeFebure, Sue-Ellen (Brian) Sherman, Sam (Sammy) Grabin, Lee (Rozella) Grabin, Joel (Joan) Grabin and Jamie (Barb) Grabin; two sisters-in-law; and extended family.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1993; and two brothers, Bill and Vince.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com

Published April 21, 2012 in The Gazette