Obituary for Elsbeth Anna Telefus
ELSBETH ANNA MAY TELEFUS
May 5, 1924 - December 20, 2017
Scotchtown, NY
Elsbeth Anna May Telefus passed away on December 20, 2017 at Shervier Pavilion in Warwick, New York. Elsbeth was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 5, 1924 to Norma Radtke Pfeuffer and Otto Pfeuffer. Both parents died when Elsbeth was very young and subsequently she was placed in an orphanage.
Upon leaving the orphanage early she supported herself working various jobs. One of those jobs was as a civilian worker at Wright Patterson Air Base in Dayton, Ohio. There she repaired damaged fuselages. It was at Wright Patterson that she met her future husband, Jacob Telefus. They were married in Dayton, Ohio on December 22, 1944. Jacob died December 12, 1993 just 10 days shy of their 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Upon Jacob’s discharge from the service they returned to New York State where Jacob was born. They lived in various places in Orange County, NY before settling permanently in Scotchtown, NY. Elsbeth had four children and returned to working when her youngest went to pre-school. Two years later she had a 5th child and after a short maternity leave returned to work again. Thirteen months later she had her 6th child and after another short maternity leave she again returned to work. Elsbeth was a dedicated employee who took on any assigned task no matter how difficult or strenuous.
Although Elsbeth had little parental mentoring she did her best at creating special memories for her children. Even though there wasn’t much money she always worked hard to make holidays and birthdays special. Elsbeth was also an excellent self taught cook. The cookies she made at Christmas were a much anticipated delight as where many of her other creations.
She also taught herself to make clothing, crochet, knit, and quilt. She made Halloween costumes, mittens, sweaters, and the most beautiful quilts. Quilting became her joy after retirement and she was always working on ten different projects at a time and was involved in a quilting group which she enjoyed immensely. Whatever she did she did with precision and a determination that it would be as perfect and beautiful as it was supposed to be.
She earned her GED and then went on to obtain her LPN license in her 50s.
She was a long time member of the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church and served as a recorder and church Elder for many years.
Elsbeth is survived by her six children: Norma (Telefus) Hickok and her husband, Skip, Jack Telefus and his wife, Christine, Elsbeth (Kitty) (Telefus) MacKay and her husband, Neal, Madeline (Telefus) Denman and her husband, Richard, Martha (Telefus) Gillespie and her husband Craig, and Cecilia Telefus. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Elsbeth Denman Zurek and her husband, Mark Zurek and Richard Denman, Samantha, Shelby, and Sophie Gillespie.
Funeral services will be held at Scotchtown Presbyterian church on Thursday, December 28, 2017 ; visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. with the service from 1 to 2 p.m. Interment will be immediately following in the Scotchtown Cemetery.
Immediately following the internment there will be a repast in the Fellowship Hall in the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested for the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, 367 Blumel Road, Middletown, NY, 10941.
Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com
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May 5, 1924 - December 20, 2017
Scotchtown, NY
Elsbeth Anna May Telefus passed away on December 20, 2017 at Shervier Pavilion in Warwick, New York. Elsbeth was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 5, 1924 to Norma Radtke Pfeuffer and Otto Pfeuffer. Both parents died when Elsbeth was very young and subsequently she was placed in an orphanage.
Upon leaving the orphanage early she supported herself working various jobs. One of those jobs was as a civilian worker at Wright Patterson Air Base in Dayton, Ohio. There she repaired damaged fuselages. It was at Wright Patterson that she met her future husband, Jacob Telefus. They were married in Dayton, Ohio on December 22, 1944. Jacob died December 12, 1993 just 10 days shy of their 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Upon Jacob’s discharge from the service they returned to New York State where Jacob was born. They lived in various places in Orange County, NY before settling permanently in Scotchtown, NY. Elsbeth had four children and returned to working when her youngest went to pre-school. Two years later she had a 5th child and after a short maternity leave returned to work again. Thirteen months later she had her 6th child and after another short maternity leave she again returned to work. Elsbeth was a dedicated employee who took on any assigned task no matter how difficult or strenuous.
Although Elsbeth had little parental mentoring she did her best at creating special memories for her children. Even though there wasn’t much money she always worked hard to make holidays and birthdays special. Elsbeth was also an excellent self taught cook. The cookies she made at Christmas were a much anticipated delight as where many of her other creations.
She also taught herself to make clothing, crochet, knit, and quilt. She made Halloween costumes, mittens, sweaters, and the most beautiful quilts. Quilting became her joy after retirement and she was always working on ten different projects at a time and was involved in a quilting group which she enjoyed immensely. Whatever she did she did with precision and a determination that it would be as perfect and beautiful as it was supposed to be.
She earned her GED and then went on to obtain her LPN license in her 50s.
She was a long time member of the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church and served as a recorder and church Elder for many years.
Elsbeth is survived by her six children: Norma (Telefus) Hickok and her husband, Skip, Jack Telefus and his wife, Christine, Elsbeth (Kitty) (Telefus) MacKay and her husband, Neal, Madeline (Telefus) Denman and her husband, Richard, Martha (Telefus) Gillespie and her husband Craig, and Cecilia Telefus. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Elsbeth Denman Zurek and her husband, Mark Zurek and Richard Denman, Samantha, Shelby, and Sophie Gillespie.
Funeral services will be held at Scotchtown Presbyterian church on Thursday, December 28, 2017 ; visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. with the service from 1 to 2 p.m. Interment will be immediately following in the Scotchtown Cemetery.
Immediately following the internment there will be a repast in the Fellowship Hall in the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested for the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, 367 Blumel Road, Middletown, NY, 10941.
Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com
To plant a tree in memory of Elsbeth Anna Telefus, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
28
Dec
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Scotchtown Presbyterian Church
Blumel Road
middletown, NY 10940
Service
Thursday
28
Dec
1:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
Scotchtown Presbyterian Church
Blumel Road
middletown, NY 10940
Graveside
Thursday
28
Dec
2:00 PM
- 3:00 PM
Scotchtown Cemetery
Blumel Road
MIddletown, NY 10940
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