Elsie Marie Ekre Jones

Mrs. Elsie Marie Jones passed away on April 9, 2009 at her home. She was born in Beach, North Dakota on January 14, 1923 to Stener and Ida (Nordin) Ekre. Stener Ekre was born in Norway in 1889 and Ida was born near Stockholm Sweden in 1887. Stener and Ida immigrated to the USA in 1890 and 1912 respectively, and after their marriage resided on a farm in Beach, North Dakota. Elsie attended Rocky Butte Elementary School 1st through 8th grades, two years of high school at Golva, ND, then two years of high School at Beach, ND. Following graduation she attended Capital Commercial College in Bismarck, ND, graduating in 1941 with honors. She took a Civil Service exam and was called to service in Washington DC in September 1941, three months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She worked for the Defense Department for some time and transferred to several other government agencies over a number of years. She then returned to Beach, ND where she worked in the Rationing Office until after World War II. She endured the rationing of gasoline, tires, sugar, meats, butter, shoes, and nylons during the War years. Nylon hose were newly developed and used for parachutes. She often expressed to her children that this was an interesting time when everyone was in support of the War Effort, there were no welfare payments, and everyone made do with what was available. Elsie married Vern R. Jones in 1949, and became a widow in 1984. Vern and Elsie farmed in eastern Colorado from 1949 until 1970, at which time they purchased the Haney Ranch east of Lowell, AR. Elsie worked generously on many improvements in her area. She was actively involved in obtaining funds for the paving of roads, water improvement, and other community projects. She was instrumental in the development of the Hickory Creek Fire Department, became a founding member, and served as secretary from May 1980 until 2003. She served on the Women's Auxiliary of Springdale Hospital from 1970 until 1995. Elsie is survived by three sons, David and Trish Jones of rural Springdale, Jim and Ruth Jones of Lowell, and Kimel and Teresa Jones of Arriba, Colorado; grandchildren Christopher and Maranda Jones, Casey and Lisa Jones, Andrew and Josie Jones and daughter Sammy, Zack Jones and Sally Jones all of Colorado, Matthew and Lisa Jones of Northwest Arkansas; a brother, Robert and Dorothy Ekre of Beach, ND; one sister, Doris Hinman of Baker, Montana; several great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Gary Vernon Jones, and two brothers, Sherman Ekre of N. Augusta SC. and Alan Ekre of Sentinel Butte, ND.

Elsie Marie Ekre Jones

January 14, 1923 - April 9, 2009