Elsie Gibbs

Elsie Mary Gibbs, age 98, of Pine River, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Home in Pine River.

Elsie Mary (Sundermeyer) Gibbs was born February 9, 1927, in Pine River Township, MN. She graduated from Pine River High School in 1945 and then attended Normal College from 1945 through 1946, graduating with a teaching degree. Elsie taught grades 1-8 near Parkers Prairie. She also taught grades 1-3 from 1948-51 at the Mildred school. From 1961-64, she went back to school to earn her 4-year degree. She then taught grades 1-3 at various times before ending on grade 1 at Pine River from 1961 until her retirement in 1986.

On June 18, 1950, Elsie married Orville Gibbs and they made their home on the family farm in Pine River, MN.

Orville and Elsie enjoyed traveling, visiting relatives and friends, fishing, and camping. They belonged to the Good Sam Camping Club and the Minnesota Christian Campers. Elsie was very active with choir, bible study, and taught Sunday school and women’s groups at Mildred Bible Chapel. After retirement, Orville and Elsie wintered in Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Eventually they bought a place in Texas in the Bibleville Park, where she served many years as the activity director.

In addition to her parents, Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Orville; sisters, Ruth Jussila, Addline Underhill, Lucy Haugaard, Doris Sundermeyer, and Dora Nickel; and brothers, Robert Sundermeyer and Larry Sundermeyer. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her sons, Daniel Gibbs (Tina) and James Gibbs; grandchildren, Andrew, Robert (Katie), Bobbie Jo (Nick), and Randy (Amber); great-grandchildren, Brayden, Analynn, and Jordan.

A celebration of Elsie’s life will be held at 11 AM on May 24, 2025, at Mildred Bible Chapel, with a visitation the half hour prior to the service.