DENNIS — Ralph Elsen, 69, of rural Dennis, died at 3:30 a.m., on March 22, 2014 at his home.
Born March 19, 1945, in Colwich, he was the son of Nick and Emelia (Schwartz) Elsen. He grew up and attended school in Great Bend. He later served in the United States Navy.
On Nov. 25, 1972, he and Carmen Henry were married in Seward. In 1985, the family moved to Parsons where he worked as a sheet metal worker at Ruskin Manufacturing. Several years ago, they moved to Dennis where he had lived since. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.
Mr. Elsen was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons.  
Survivors include a son, Allen Elsen, of the home; a daughter, Annette “Annie” Elsen, of the home; two grandchildren, Devon Elsen and Anayah Elsen; two brothers, Nick Elsen and Jerome Elsen, both of Great Bend; and three sisters, Vera Henning and Connie Watts, both of Great Bend, and Betty Staudinger, of Hoisington.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Elsen, on Jan. 16, 2004; two brothers, Dick and Stan Elsen; and a sister, Juletta Elsen Dyer.
The rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Following the rosary, cremation will take place.
A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend.
Memorials are suggested to an educational fund for the Elsen grandchildren, in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home *
P.O. Box 374
Parsons, KS, 67357
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, March 25, 2014