Elsie M. Pitsenbarger

Elsie Marie Pitsenbarger, nee Ryan, 88, of Fargo, passed away peacefully Monday, May 14, at The Waterford, Fargo, surrounded by her loving family. Elsie Ryan was born on October 10, 1923, in Fargo, to George and Grace Ryan. At age three, she began taking dance lessons at the Marie Early School of Dance. Known as "Little Elsie Ryan," she performed dance and acrobatics at area events. Elsie attended school in Fargo, graduating from Central High School. She then attended North Dakota Agricultural College until she moved to Dayton, Ohio to help in the war effort by working at Wright Patterson Air Base. On September 12, 1944, she married Roger Pitsenbarger and moved to Grand Forks where he attended law school. After Roger graduated from law school, they moved to Moorhead, where they made their home for 38 years, raising six children. In 1985, Roger and Elsie moved to Fargo.Elsie and Roger were long-time, active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. She also participated in the League of Women Voters, PEO and the Fargo-Moorhead Fine Arts Club. She was an avid bowler and also enjoyed her bridge groups, even when she "got the pennies." In later years, Elsie and Roger became involved in supporting several local charities and educational institutions. She was a dedicated mother who also found great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.She is survived by her son Jeffrey Marti of Alvin, Texas, Beth Colman of Fargo, Joan Jim Kath of Moorhead, Kay Jim Carvey of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Mark Laurie of Minneapolis, and Lisa Bill Kirkpatrick of Chanhassen,; 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, Don Ryan, and sisters-in-law Jeanne Ryan and Jean Erickson.Elsie's family would like to thank Waterford and their wonderful third floor nursing staff as well as the caring nurses of Hospice of the Red River Valley for making her last hours peaceful and comforting for her and her family. Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.