Elsie Mae Pickerill, 69, passed away at the Minneola Long Term Care Center in Minneola on Monday afternoon, Feb. 13. Elsie was born on Sept. 12, 1942, in Ellsworth to John and Mildred (Mills) Ploutz. She graduated from Ellsworth High School. On Sept. 5, 1964, she was united in marriage to Gary Pickerill in Great Bend, where the couple made their home. One of Elsie’s favorite activities was watching KU basketball.

Survivors include her husband, Gary Pickerill of Great Bend; a son, Jeffery Pickerill of Olathe; a daughter, Sandra Burgess and husband Bryan of Minneola; two granddaughters, Victoria and Elizabeth Burgess; 24 nieces and nephews and their families. Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, John, Howard, and Harold Ploutz; and two sisters, Thelma Hurst and Viola Nily.

It was Elsie’s wishes that her body be donated to the University of Kansas Medical Center after her death. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Charter Funerals in Great Bend. There will be no viewing or visitation. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Great Bend Relay for Life.

A complete obituary may be read and condolences may be left for the family online at http://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.