Elsie Shoup

Elsie Shoup, 94, of Gettysburg, passed away, Friday, December 4, 2015, at the Avera Oahe Manor in Gettysburg. 

Funeral Services were held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 8, 2015, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Brad Urbach presiding. Burial followed in the Onida Cemetery. A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Monday December 7, 2015, at Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg led by Pastor Jeff Adel with visitation one hour prior.

Elsie M. Cavanaugh was born March 10, 1921, in Sully County, South Dakota, to James P. and Nettie (Barr) Cavanaugh. She attended country school in Farmington Township in Sully County and graduated from Agar High School in 1940. Following school, Elsie worked as a deputy for the Sully County Auditor.

On June 10, 1944, Elsie was united in marriage to Francis "Bud" Shoup. They were married at the Lutheran parsonage in Harrold while Bud was home on leave from the service. Elsie went with Bud and they lived the remainder of his military service in Madison, WI, and Sioux Falls. In 1945, they purchased the farm where they raised their family and worked the land.

In 1991, Bud passed away and Elsie moved to Gettysburg the following spring. She remained in her home until 2011 when she entered the Oahe Villa, living there a short time before choosing to become a resident of the Oahe Manor in Gettysburg. Elsie remained there until the time of her death. 

Elsie was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Agar and Ladies Aid, serving as a Sunday School teacher and participated in Bible Study. She was also actively involved in the Fairview School Board, the American Legion Auxiliary, Sully County Voting Board, and Republican Women. While living in Gettysburg she was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg Hospital Auxiliary and the Medicine Rock Senior Center where she served in several offices.

Having things to do as a past time was important to Elsie, she always enjoyed bowling, baking, gardening, playing cards, finishing cross-word puzzles and writing poetry.  Elsie was well known for her delicious homemade sour cream raisin pies and doughnuts, and she loved to share these with her friends at the Senior Center.  She would write poetry for any occasions from weddings, showers, birthdays or her yearly Christmas card, which the entire family looked forward to. 

Elsie's life will be cherished by her children: Dennis of Summerset, Judy (Dean) Maroney of Gettysburg, Pam (Dean) Goebel of Gettysburg, Larry (Maralee) of Gettysburg, Bob (Nancy) of Pierre, and Bill (Joyce) of Brandon; 17 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two brothers: Gerald (Betty) Cavanaugh of OH and Keith (Donna) Cavanaugh of UT; and two sisters: Alice Evanick and Gerty Greime, both of MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bud on July 6, 1991; two grandchildren: Jodi Lenn Goebel and Shawn Patrick Maroney; brothers: Don, John, George, and Gene; and sisters: Anna Tompkins, Gen Shoup and infant Delores.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Elsie's arrangements.