Elsie Gjovik

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Elsie Gjovik died peacefully on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 20, 2011 in the loving arms of her family and the compassionate care of staff of Clatsop Care Center, her home for the past three years.

Elsie was born March 18, 1914 in Astoria to John and Selma Peterson of Eden, Wash. After her mother died in the flu epidemic of 1918, her family moved to the Alderbrook neighborhood in Astoria. Her father and his new wife Elvira "Hakamiki" forged strong ties with neighbors, which became the foundation for lifelong friendships for Elsie. She attended Astoria schools, and as a young woman, lived and worked in Portland and Washington, D.C. as a beauty operator for a blue print plant, and as a clerk for Pennsylvania Central Airlines. In 1948, she returned home to Astoria and married Ole Gjovik. They moved to their home on Grand Avenue in 1953 where they raised their four children.

Elsie was an exceptional cook, baker, seamstress and creator of handiwork in crochet, knitting and Norwegian hardanger embroidery. She was ahead of her time in making efficient use of limited resources and creating a sense of abundance, from growing vegetables to altering hand-me-down clothes. She and Ole ensured that the children were raised with a firm foundation, strong ties with family and the community at the First Lutheran Church, and that music was a constant in the home. She was actively involved in 4-H, Brownies and Cub Scouts for her children, and was the go-to at-home mom when neighborhood kids skinned their knees.

Besides her immediate family, Elsie was blessed with lifelong friendships with five women who first connected back in Alderbrook when she was five years old. This group (Elsie, Helen Johnson, Irene Alderman, Evi Larson, Aini Duoos and Evelyn Kvisto), affectionately referred to as the "six pack," developed enduring bonds through their sewing circle, friendly card games, and "kahvi aika," and supported each other through life's ups and downs. She was also blessed over the years with other friends who enjoyed playing cards, bunco and bingo, and by the presence of many young people, friends of her children, who visited often and brought much joy to her life.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband Ole (1969) and her sister Ellen (Oja) Zankich (1994). She is survived by her children Carole (Bruce) Lyngstad of Astoria; Kathleen Gjovik of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; Peggy (Jim) Lyle of Mead, Wash.; and John (Deanna) Gjovik of Nemah, Wash.; grandchildren Allison Lyngstad, Brent Lyngstad, Sean (Melanie) Reynolds, Kelli (Steve) Katke and Emily Gjovik; eight great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law Marie Henderson, nephew Jim (Sandra) Henderson, nephew Ken Gjovik and niece Judy Roeske.

After a private family graveside service, a celebration of life will be held at Suomi Hall on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 at 2 p.m. In Elsie's memory, and in honor of the many exceptional and compassionate caregivers who contributed so much to the quality of her life, donations to the Clatsop Community College Foundation for the nursing program can be made to Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103. Please visit and sign our online guest book at caldwellsmortuary.com.