Elsie Julia Goldsmith, 76, Streeter, ND, died Sunday morning, February 18, 2018 at her home in Streeter, ND.
Elsie Wagenknetch, later Elsie Wagner, was born August 5, 1941 in Wareham, MA to Oswald Herman Wegner and Julia Anna (Weigand). She moved at an early age with her parents to St. Petersburg, FL. After the death of her mother in 1952 and her father in 1953 she was adopted by Paul & Pearl Vonn.
She attended grade school in MA, completing it in FL, graduating from Bronson High School in Bronson, FL in 1959. Elsie completed one year of junior college before entering the LPN program at Gainesville, FL, becoming a surgical scrub nurse.
She and Harold Goldsmith, Jr. met while he was stationed at Mayport Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, FL. They were married November 4, 1961 in Nahunta, GA. They had two children, David and Debbie. They lived in Jacksonville until Harold was transferred to Miramar Naval Air Station in Miramar, CA in 1962. Elsie was a stay at home mom raising their children. They lived in Poway, CA until Harold retired from the USN and they moved to Streeter, ND in Jan. 1978 where they have resided.
Elsie was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Streeter, ND, serving as the church council secretary for twelve years; at the time of her death she was secretary/treasurer for St. Luke WELCA. She was a RoYaL member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was vice president and VA & R Committee chairman in the Streeter unit; she served as District 4 president 2002-2004 and 2012 until the time of her death. She was also a member of the Dept. ALA Finance Board for five years and a life member of the VFW.
She is survived by her husband, 2 children, David H. Goldsmith, Porter, TX and Debbie (Troy) Zillmer, Gackle, ND; 3 grandchildren, Jason (Jackie) Zillmer, New Brighton, MN, Jamie (Tyler) Lagodinski, Edgeley, ND, and Jordan (Erica) Zillmer, Gackle, ND; 5 great-grandchildren, Alex, Allie & Austin Lagodinski, and Hudson & Viviana Zillmer; and 3 step-sisters, Clara Mae Marcotte, Sequin, TX, Martha von Cotzhausen, Copperas Cove, TX, and Ruth (Larry) Staton, Terlingua, TX.
She was preceded in death by her parents, adoptive parents and two grandchildren, Samantha (Infancy) and Samuel H. Goldsmith (7 years old).
Visitation: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND
Prayer Service: 7:00 PM Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Haut Funeral Home
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Friday, February 23, 2018 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Wishek, ND
Interment will be at St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery, Streeter, ND
An online guest book is available at www.hautfuneralhome.com.