Elsie Crum passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021, at the age of 97, at the King's Daughters Home in Mexico.

Funeral Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 19, at Arnold Funeral Home with Rev. Jimmie Stewart officiating. Burial will follow in Union Chapel Cemetery.

Visitation is Tuesday from 10 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.

Elsie was born on March 9, 1924, in Norton, Kansas, to Chester and Elsie Thompson, who preceded her in death. She was the middle of three siblings, older brother, Morris Thompson, who also preceded her in death, and younger sister, Mary (Thompson) Keyton of Clark, Missouri, who survives.

In 1943, Elsie married the love of her life, Elwood Crum, when he was on leave. They were married for over 50 years. Elwood preceded her in death in 1999. Elsie is survived by three children and spouses, Ralph and Beth Crum, Teresa (Crum) and Terry Cragg, and Mark Crum; eight grandchildren and spouses, Troy and Julie Crum, Brant and Ann Crum, Garrett and Ruthie Vanskike, Garth and Kara Vanskike, Elsa (Vanskike) and Caleb Brown, Richard and Hillary Crum, Mehgan (Crum) and Zach Wilis, Kaitlyn Crum and Michael Crum. Elsie is also a great-grandmother to 16 great-grandkids.

Elsie was going to sign up with the WAVEs Navy but was given the wrong date for recruitment. A recruiter for The Sunflower Ordinance Plant was signing people the day so she became a press operator for TNT instead, located near Kansas City. No one knew where it was located. They were transported there on a bus with black out windows. While working, she attended Kansas University and majored in English Literature. When the war ended, they moved to Missouri.

Elsie loved gardening, sewing, traveling and volunteering, where she helped adults to read. She also worked at the Handi-Shop for many years. Most of all, she loved to have her children and grandchildren around her.

Mrs. Crum was a member of Union Baptist Church. She was a Sunday School Teacher and helped with Bible School and Church Camp.

Memorial donations may be made to Union Chapel Cemetery. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.