Our Benefactor

Elsie was born February 3, 1913 in Benkelman, Nebraska to Millard and Emma Gilbert. Elsie was number five of fourteen children in the family. Elsie and her family lived in various places before settling in Havre, MT. She graduated from high school in 1932 at Hood River, OR. Elsie then attended Northern Montana College and graduated with a teaching degree in 1934. 

She taught in Kremlin where she met the love of her life, Sigrud (Sig) Nelson. They became one on March 2, 1935, and were married for 35 years before he passed away in 1970. Elsie and her husband farmed about five years and then moved to Havre. They bought the Glacier Motel in Havre in 1942. During the war effort, they moved to Portland, OR and got jobs at the Oregon shipyards. Elsie was welding materials on supply ships with acetylene torches. The shipyards could complete a football field-long ship in sixty days. Elsie's family is very proud of our own "Rosie the Riveter".

After the war they came back to Havre and continued to operate the motel. Elsie enjoyed reading autobiographies that her sister Iris would send her on a regular basis. When not reading, she spent her time writing many cards and letters to all of her family throughout the states. Elsie kept the family up to date on what everyone was doing. She was their life line.

Her greatest joy in life was helping her family. Helping became her creed. Elsie established an "Earnest Endeavor Trust " for the many nieces and nephews that wanted to attend college. Her desire now and in her demise is to help each one to succeed in their endeavor in life: whether that would be a teacher, nurse, astronaut, diesel mechanic, welding mechanic, missionary, or their own business. Elsie's spirit lives on in each one she helps.   

Elsie once wrote, " I, Elsie Kay Gilbert, was born February 3, 1913 in Benkelman, Nebraska. My aspiration was to help beloved family and relatives when I grew up. Papa and Mama made many sacrifices to send us to school. They believed in education and the privilege of voting. Their beliefs became my beliefs. With my first paycheck for work at Woolworth Store as a clerk, I was able to pay for Brother Kenneth’s hospital bill of $12.50 for his treatment for tonsillitis. I was so happy on being able to HELP. Helping became my Creed. I was able to help family and relatives. With my trust established for “Earnest Endeavor”, I can continue helping after my demise. My most admired persons outside of my family: female-Eleanor Roosevelt; male- Billy Graham. The love of my life was my loving husband, Sigurd T. Nelson (Sig). We had 35 years together before he died of cancer of the colon in 1970. In conclusion, I thank GOD for reaching my goal of “Earnest Endeavor”. "

 And we thank God for blessing us with our selfless, generous and loving Aunt Elsie.