Elsie Mae Palmer, 78, a longtime resident of Skagit Valley passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2014 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
She was born on January 9, 1937 in Garden City, Kansas, the daughter of Walter and Margaret (Goeringer) Scheuerman.
Elsie and her family moved to Washington when she was a young girl. After the passing of her mother when she was small she was placed into foster care homes until finding a wonderful family, the Snell’s, with whom she lived for several years.
She attended Sedro-Woolley High School, graduating with the class of 1955.
Elsie was an avid sports fan; the Seahawks were her favorite team. She was a huge supporter of the SWHS sports, even traveling many miles to watch the events.
Elsie worked as a nurse at Northern State Hospital, and there she met the love of her life, Maynard Palmer, and they were married in 1969 and they made their home in Lyman, and Elsie got involved in her community. She served two terms as mayor, 1980 thru 1982 and 1994 thru 1996. She also served on the town council from 2005 thru 2008.
Elsie is survived by her niece, Beth Merritt; great-nephews, Tanner Merritt (Cassie) Randy Merritt II (Cristina); great-great-nieces, Gracelynn and Hailey Merritt; great-great- nephew, Reece Merritt; sisters, Delores (Snell) Parker, Edna (Snell) Thomas; best friend, Leona Smith and many other special friends, she was a friend to all.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her second parents, Curtis and Evelyn Snell; husband, Maynard Palmer; brothers, Herman and John Scheuerman, Bill and Harry Snell; nephew, Grant Scheuerman; and sister-in-law, Fern Scheuerman.
A potluck celebration of Elsie’s life will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 1:00PM at the Lyman Baptist Church. A private interment was held at the Lyman Cemetery next to her late husband Maynard.
I was so saddened to hear of Elsie passing, she was so healthy, such a worker, and always fun to hang out with, she Edna (Snell) Thomas and myself, used to hang out together, going to dinner, or just for a drive to Bellingham, She was so funny, loved her like a sister, many times she would go to church with Harry and I, to Free Methodist Church in Sedro Woolley, WA. Elsie was a member of the Snell family, she was included in
everything we did, she will be missed so much. I didn’t even know she was sick and my thoughts and prayers will be with all her relatives and friends, I’m sure she is soaring around in Heaven visiting with Mom & Dad, her brothers, her nieces and nephews, Evelyn and Curtis Snell which was very fond oif Elsie like she was their own daughter, I think Elsie was about 9 years old when she came to live at the Snell’s and we enjoyed and loved her very much. RIP Elsie your will be sorely missed.
May you rest in Peace Elsie. We will miss you and memories of all the years we lived at N.S.H together and later all worked together there. We tried to keep in touch as much as we could. The last time some of us were together was here in Puyallup Sept. 2014. What a great day old memories . Because of health issues Toppy and I are unable to travel. Our thoughts and Prayers will be with the family and friends. Toppy &Sonny Brigge and Tippy & Wayne Latham
We met Elsie while working at NSH and have valued her
friendship for over 50 years .We will miss you, Elsie
Rich & Joan Ryan.
Elsie became my Aunt when she married my mom’s brother Maynard . She was a welcome addition to our family and she will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace . Love, Delores
We shall miss you Elsie, all the fun all of us have had over the last 58 years has been great. To be friends for all that time is very special. Rest in Peace dear friend.
Elsie was a great person and I just loved her spirit!!
Brenda Suryan Sem