Wiltsey, Elsie Ann (Kerkman)

Elsie Ann Wiltsey (Kerkman), 81, a resident of Buchanan County Health Center, Long Term Care, Independence, formerly of Shellsburg, died Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at the care center. Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Monday, April 22, at Walker United Methodist Church, Walker, by Pastor Norman Kelley. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Walker. Burial: Walker Cemetery.

Survivors include her children, Jerry (Rita) Wiltsey, Randy (Sheri) Wiltsey, Karren (Mike) Smith, Doug (Cindy) Wiltsey, Tom (Jody) Wiltsey, Cindy (Jerry) Jones, Gary (Virginia) Wiltsey, Susie (Rick) Primmer and George Wiltsey; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two great-grandsons on the way, due late this summer; and siblings, Marvin (Imogene) Adair, Eunice (Bob) Boxa and Wayne Adair.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, George C. Wiltsey; second husband, Harold Kerkman; sister, Bertha Struve; sister-in-law, Georgia Adair; and grandchildren, Tina Marie Lee and Timothy Wiltsey.

Elsie was born Jan. 7, 1932, in Shellsburg, Iowa, the daughter of Allen and Grace (Quinn) Adair. She graduated from Lewis Bottoms School in Palo. Elsie married George Wiltsey on Sept. 12, 1949. George died Jan. 24, 1986. She married Harold Kerkman on Feb. 8, 1991; Harold died Dec. 27, 1996. Elsie was an avid puzzle fan, especially enjoying crosswords, word finds and bingo. She also enjoyed gardening and sewing. Elsie will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.

Please sign the online guest book for Elsie at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette April 19, 2013.