Elsie Rosetta Klinksick was born in Papinsville, Missouri to Fritz and Katie (Deopel) Steuck on May 18, 1916. Elsie quietly departed from this life on the morning of September 4, 2025 at the age of 109 in Butler, Missouri surrounded by her family. She eagerly crossed the river and joined her soul mate, Harold, who had been patiently waiting. Hand in hand, they briskly walked into the warming light to join the place prepared for them by their God, with a gentle breeze flowing thru their dark curls. A life well lived, a just reward from a compassionate God. Elsie grew up in Papinville with her four brothers, Walter, Boots, Bob, Don and one sister, Lorene. She attended Papinville Public School for eight years. After graduating, she kept busy performing many services in the area like being a teachers aide, assisting families during sickness and after childbirth, whatever her family or neighbors needed. She worked several years at Central as a switch board operator in Papinville. Mom never forgot those childhood memories or the people she grew up with. Elsie was baptized as an infant at the Lutheran Church in Prairie City, Missouri. She attended with her family, the Methodist Church in Papinville as a young woman and later became a lifelong member of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Prairie City. She was a member of the Ladies Guild, a founding board member of the Papinville Historical Association, served on the election board for many years and any where she was needed. At the age of twenty, she was united in marriage to Harold Klinksick on September 20, 1936.
This love affair lasted nearly 90 years and never left her thought. To this union, three children were born, Connie, Bill and Stan. They spent their life on the ranch south of Prairie City raising crops, cattle and horses. Their love never ended.
Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Katie Steuck, her loving husband, Harold Klinksick, sibling and spouses, Walter and Ethel Steuck, Robert and Margie Steuck, Don and Kessie Steuck, Boots and Dorothy Mae Steuck, Lorene and Merle Kline. Brothers in law and spouses, Floyd and Berene Klinksick, Gene and Betty Klinksick. Sisters in law and spouses, Florence and Andy Anderson, Opal and Charles Hanna, Allene and Frank Solito. Nephews and nieces, Davie and Christine Klinksick, Lonnie Klinksick, Ray Solito and wife, Carol, Dale and Kathy Seider, Melvin and Genavie Rheuling, Roy Fleischer, Rick Fleischer, Krystal Rabourn and son, Payton. Elsie is survived by her children, Connie (Phil) Cook of Urich, Missouri, Bill (Cholista) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Stan (Sue) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, thirteen grandchildren, David (Jeanie) Cook of Lees Summit, Missouri, Dennis (Dawn) Cook of Lees Summit, Missouri, Rusty (Cassie) Cook of Clinton, Missouri, Kavin Cook of Peculiar, Missouri, Angie (Billie Joe) Thompson of Hume, Missouri, Heath (Carey) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Kelley (Leon) Robb of Rich Hill, Missouri, Chad (Linsey) Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Rhett Klinksick of Rockville, Missouri, Craig (Jennifer) Klinksick of Rich Hill, Missouri, Carrie (Ryan) Hartley of Ravenwood, Missouri, Austin Klinksick of Kansas City, Katie (Derek) Hawley of Lees Summit, Missouri, twenty-nine great grandchildren, twenty great great grandchildren, many nephews and nieces, and a host of friends and neighbors.
She will be long remembered for her generosity, her delicious meals, the hundreds of beautiful quilts and her staunch family loyalty. Rest in peace, Mom.
Funeral Services were held September 9, 2025 at the Heuser Funeral Home with burial at the Prairie City Cemetery. Contributions are suggested to the Prairie City Cemetery.
