Elsa Caroline Whitener (Elsie) passed away peacefully early Monday morning, March 8, 2021. Elsie was born in Ephrata Washington on May 21,1924 to parents William and Augusta (Muehsam) Lehr. Elsie grew up at Grant Orchards where her father was a large orchardist. She attended elementary and junior high in Ephrata. The family moved to Crescent Bar in 1938. She had fond memories of playing in the orchards, swimming in Soap Lake, catching trout, dances at the community center by their house, and waving to President Roosevelt as his car passed near her as a young girl. After graduating from Quincy High School in 1942, Elsie attended Merritt Business College in Oakland California and Business Machine Training in San Francisco. She was employed at Kaiser Permanente until she returned home in 1946. She then was employed at Skookum Growers in Wenatchee until she married Donald Whitener in 1949. Elsie and Don moved to Kent and she was employed as a secretary at Pacific Car and Foundry in Renton for 2 ½ years. Elsie was a member of the Presbyterian Church and later in life she attended Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 60 years. She supported the Kent community through volunteering at the food bank, heart and cancer associations, and the PTA. Elsie and Don raised 3 children in Kent, making many beautiful memories along the way. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2009. Elsie was a wise, cheerful, and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Many wonderful times together are forever cherished in her family’s hearts. Elsie always had a way to make those she encountered feel welcomed and valued. She made many lifelong friends and even in her later years, is remembered fondly by young and old. She had a positive, determined spirit that carried her well throughout her life. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, father, mother, and 3 brothers. Survivors include her son, Phil Whitener; daughter, Carol (Greg) French; son, Doug (Debbie) Whitener; grandchildren, Kevin (Jessica) French, Chelsea Whitener, and Weston Whitener. You are invited to view Elsie’s funeral on Tuesday, March 23 at 11:30 am via Zoom. To join the live stream of your loved one’s service at Yahn and Son Funeral Home Please visit: www.zoom.us or download the zoom room cloud meeting App • Select Join a Meeting • Meeting ID- 2538338877 Elsie will be laid to rest with her husband, Donald, at Tahoma National Cemetery at a private graveside service. A Celebration of Life open house will be planned for the near future.