Elsie Esther Hjelt

1929 - 2012

Elsie Esther Hjelt obituary, 1929-2012

FUNERAL HOME

Skyline Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home - Portland

4101 NW Skyline Blvd.

Portland, Oregon

Elsie Hjelt Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 2, 2013.

Elsie Esther Laitinen was born June 30, 1929 in Portland at Emanuel Hospital and grew up on a 43 acre farm in Toledo, Washington. They had Milking cows and "way too many chickens" according to Elsie. Her father raised chickens for Fort Lewis and Elsie grew to really dislike chickens. Her best friend growing up was Barbara who lived on the farm next to theirs. One of Elsie's favorite things to do was to read and loved visiting her Aunt Emma in Brush Prairie because she had so many lovely Finnish and English books. Night after night, Elsie would stay up late reading under the covers in her bed using only a flashlight to read.

Elsie's parent's were from Finland and they met after they came to the United States when they both attended Messiah Lutheran Church, which was started in 1902 and has always had a pastor who delivered sermons in Finnish. Elsie's father, Emil, left the farm in Finland with a brother and worked in a paper mill in this area. Her mother, Hilija ("Heelia") Kemppainen Laitinen was from Oulu, Finland where her father worked in their farm in the forest. Hilja came to the US with a Cousin and stayed in New York for 9 months in 1908 before coming west.

Elsie graduated from Toledo High School in a rather small class. Because of her prolific reading skills, Elsie became an expert at spelling and won several spelling bees. She attended Suomi College, now Finlandia University, in Michigan for 2 years.

She then earned her teaching degree from Lewis and Clark College in Portland. Her first teaching job was in Baker City where she taught 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade for three years. Most of her teaching career was with the Portland School District where she taught at Portsmouth and Elliot grade schools.

She met her husband Clifford in the young people's group at Messiah Lutheran Church and they were married on December 3rd, 1954. Cliff went to college to get his teaching degree serving first in Damascus and then in Gladstone School Districts. They first lived in, according to Elsie, "an old dilapidated apartment building" on Alberta Street and later moved to a house in Northeast Portland. Their move to Happy Valley was to ten acres where Cliff had a horse, some cows, and a pig that ate leftovers from school. Cliff and Elsie both taught elementary students during their stay at the Happy Valley farm. Their last home in Happy Valley was a new custom-built home and they enjoyed living there until moving into Somerset Retirement Living in 2009.
Elsie enjoyed many years serving her church by singing in the choirs at Messiah and St. Stephens Lutheran Churches. Many friendships came from these times. She also played the Finnish Kontola and performed regularly in a Kontola music group. Her two most favorite things besides reading were enjoying her other friend, Cally the calico cat and eating dark chocolate. Elsie and Cliff traveled to Finland many times through the years and communicated regularly with her relatives there. In her last days, Elsie continued to enjoy reading. She will be remembered as a humble servant who loved the Lord.

A Memorial Service will take place in St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 290 W. Glocester Street, Gladstone, Oregon, on Saturday, January 5, 2103, at 1pm. Elsie will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Elsie Hjelt

What is your first memory of Elsie?

Share a favorite memory you have of Elsie.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Elsie.

Describe a time when Elsie made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Elsie?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Elsie.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Elsie.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Elsie.

What is something you learned from Elsie?

Not sure what to say?

1 Entry

January 3, 2013

Eric & Arja Alava

Lammolla Elsia muistaen. Oli ilo ja kunnia tuntea hanet. Monta kaunista muistoa kannamme sydamessamme. Lepaa rauhassa.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Elsie Hjelt's name

Memorial Events
for Elsie Hjelt

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Skyline Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home - Portland

4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97229

How to support Elsie's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Elsie Hjelt's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more