Elsie Topolski's Obituary
Elsie (Schmidt) Topolski
Joe and Elsie are holding hands again. Her sparkle, smile and spirit will be missed, but not forgotten. Elsie Topolski, born on June 14, 1917 in Minot, ND, passed away in Tacoma on October 23, 2008. She was 91 years old. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Joseph Edward Topolski; her parents; 10 sisters (Elizabeth, Mary, Caroline, Pauline, Edna, Freda, Maggie, Christine and Amelia); and brother, John. She is survived by her brother, Walter; a daughter, Kathy Martin; and sons, Steve (Bianca), Michael (Diane) and Mark; 5 grandchildren (Jeff, Jason, Collin, Jon Michael and Leandra); niece, Donna (Tom) their children and grandchildren, who were loved like Elsie's own. Her good friend Julian, from Florida, also survives her. She was born on a farm in North Dakota and moved to Tacoma when she was 12 years old. She lived with her older sister, Caroline, who was like a mother to her. She graduated from Lincoln High School where she had talent for many athletic pursuits, including swimming and skiing. Two awards she was always proud of were winning the highest kicking contest and the best posture award. In 1936, Elsie went to work in a bakery as a cake decorator. There she met Joseph Topolski and it was love at first sight. They were married on Valentine's Day 1941 and spent their lives together as soul mates. After leaving the bakery, she went to work for Graham Blueprint and later as a Photostat operator for Weyerhaeuser. Elsie later joined her husband to work in their business, Walt's Fine Foods, in Key Center, WA. Elsie was a lifetime member of Calvary Baptist Church. Elsie cherished her visits with her sons, Steve and Michael, and loved the garden her youngest son, Mark, planted every year. Everyone who met her was drawn to her. She had a smile that would light up the room. Fulfilling her passion for travel, she enjoyed many road trips and traveled extensively with her husband and daughter, Kathy. Among their favorite places were Mazatlan, Europe, Palm Springs, North Dakota, New Orleans, New York, and Canada. She also went on an annual Las Vegas trip in celebration of her wedding anniversary. One of her greatest joys was horseback riding. She loved to talk about her horse back trip into the North Cascades. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all family and friends that loved Elsie so much and to Dr. Smoots and his staff for all their loving care. A funeral service will be held at Mt. View Cemetery Valley Chapel (4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA), Friday, October 31, 2008 at 11am., followed by a celebration of Elsie's life at the Fircrest Golf Club (1500 Regents Blvd., Fircrest, WA). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Emergency Food Network, 3318 S. 92nd, Tacoma, WA 98499.
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