Obituary - Elsa M. Olson Pomeroy

Elsa M. Olson Pomeroy, 94, passed away peacefully with family at her side November 6th, 2023.

Elsa was born July 3rd, 1929, to Fred and Martha (Solomon) Olson. She was always considered their “little firecracker,” being born so close to the Fourth of July. Her personality and behaviors prove this to be true throughout her life and even in her final hours. Elsa was feisty, independent and loving to her last breath.

Elsa was a born “mother,” from the early age of 2 she cared for her younger sister Janet. The love and the bond between these two was unmatched by any love that is known. Now the two are together forever in heaven where they both are healthy, active and “dressed” in the most beautiful clothes in heaven.

Elsa married Earl Pomeroy in 1947. Earl was in the service so she was able to live and to see several areas of the United States. They were later divorced and Elsa returned home to Montana in 1952 with her three children. ‘These are the children God has given me. God has been good to me” Genesis 33: 5. Elsa was blessed with three children, Dawn Overcast (Kenny), Denys, and Darlene. In 2003 she was blessed to be given her beloved adopted son Syrus.

When her three children married Elsa was again blessed with six grandchildren, TJ Overcast, Karleen Halingstad, Shea Pomeroy, Camille Pomeroy, Seth Pomeroy and Nathan Pomeroy.

Elsa was blessed again when her grandchildren gave her great-grandchildren Brogan Overcast, Kale Overcast, DJ Overcast, Rio Dawn, Guinnane, and Ty Luc Overcast, Syrus Pomeroy, Nathan Pomeroy, Natalia Pomeroy, Nikola Pomeroy, Noah Pomeroy, Liam Pomeroy. Faith Halingstad, Sally Christensen, Molly Salveson, Ben Halingstad, Hannah Halingstad, Oliver Halingstad, Grace Halingstad, Knut Halingstad, Jenny Halingstad, Lane Halingstad.

From her great-grandchildren Elsa was blessed again with great-great-grandchildren Kaelina Overcast, Teagan Overcast, Rosalyn Christensen, James Dow Christensen, and Whit Salveson.

Elsa was blessed to be able to FaceTime with almost all of her family before the time of her passing she was able to tell them she loved them and they were able to say they loved her. Her family will miss the “Praying Grandma.” Whenever any family member wanted a little extra boost in their prayers they called Grandma to pray for their request. Now Elsa can be everyone’s Guardian Angel and help pray for them from heaven.

Another great love of Elsa’s was her home. She loved cooking fabulous meals and having a beautiful flower garden. “Many make a household but only one can make a home.” James Russell Lowell.

Elsa was always on the go and working almost every minute. She started her working life early as a young child pitching hay onto the hay wagon, milking cows, feeding chickens, helping with a huge garden “from planting to harvest” — she made the best plum jelly in the world.

During her high school years in Havre, she worked at a bakery and the LaMode dress shop. Those jobs led to her fabulous baking skills and her love of beautiful clothing.

In Chinook, Elsa worked at the Blaine Bank and Doughton Ford (where she was treated like family). Elsa’s last job was the dream of her lifetime to purchase a lady’s dress shop with her sister Janet, the beloved E&J style shop. Her family still hears from customers how much they love the E&J Style shop. Ladies traveled many miles to shop at E&J. They had customers from California, Canada, Wyoming, North and South Dakota that traveled on a yearly basis to shop there. The E&J style shop gave Elsa another opportunity to have another family to love. Her employees were not employees to her, they were her extended family (Tilly Miller, Vonda Montgomery, Betty Munson, Francis Ewing, Ellen Pyett, Marilyn (Barber) McClain.

During Elsa’s business years she was very active in the Chamber of Commerce and was instrumental in pursuing funding for the Sweet Memorial Nursing Home, Sweet Health Center, the Chinook Motor Inn, and her favorite the Chinook Art Show and Parade of Lights.

After the E&J Style shop was sold, Elsa got bored and missed the public life and visiting with people. She applied at Kmart in Havre and Janet and Elsa worked as stockers for two years until they finally officially retired. She also loved working there and many people would go there just to visit and to see her and Janet.

Elsa is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Martha Olson; her brothers Harry, Russell, and Edward Olson; her sisters Marie Grant, Elizabeth HIII Ruth Holfedt, Janet Olson, an infant sister Edith Olson; her most-beloved son Denys Pomeroy; her grandson Shea Pomeroy and her son-in-law Jack Harrington.

There will be no funeral services; a private family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to one’s Choice.

Condolences may be sent to PO Box 579, Chinook, Montana 59523.

Arrangements are being made by the Wilderness Funeral Home of Chinook.