Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immorality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through His servant Elsie Sophia Becker Besel. Elsie Sophia Becker was given life by her Creator on April 3, 1907 in Ritzville WA, the child of John E. Becker and Katie Sophia Stumph Becker. She was baptized as an infant and, as a youth, publicly confessed her baptismal faith in the rite of Confirmation. On December 10, 1931 she married a beloved companion, Conrad Besel, Jr. of Farmer WA and shared more than 58 years of marriage. They were blessed with the gift of three sons. God blessed Elsie with many special people as she served God in her vocations at home, the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Withrow WA and in the community. Elsie loved to work in her garden, sew quilts with ladies at church, and crochet when time permitted. Among those blessings were the wives of her sons who shared in the faith so pervasive in Elsie and the family. Finally on August 2, 2010 God took Elsie home at age 103 where she rests in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead. In His presence she is reunited with her husband and family who preceded her in death.

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord. We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our mother, Elsie Besel and the faith that promises an eternal rest in the Lord.

Elsie is reunited with her parents, husband Conrad Besel, sisters Esther Miller, Lydia Cape and Alice Wurl and her daughter in law Rosemarie Besel. She is survived by her sons Leland Janet Besel of Richland WA, Arlen Besel of Elkton MD, and Roland June Besel of Lugoff SC; grandchildren Sandy David Nelson, Darrell Amy Besel and great grandchildren, Marlee, Roslynn, Jordan, and Garrett, and her sister Martha Besel of Waterville WA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services for Elsie Besel will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 1050 Eastmont Avenue, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 on August 28 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or to the Waterville Ambulance Fund, Waterville, WA 98858.