Elsie Jane Baker Brunner, born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on January 28, 1917, the daughter of Mary (Sollar) and Arent Baker, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2009, at Grace Willowbrook Assisted Living. Elsie graduated from Eau Claire Senior High in 1933 and from Luther Hospital School of Nursing in 1938. On April 24, 1941, Elsie married George Fredrick Brunner at Sacred Heart Church. Elsie and George met as they both walked to work down the Dewey Street Hill, Elsie to Luther Hospital and George to the Outdoor Sport Shop. Elsie always said George was a good dancer and ice skater, two qualities that endeared him to her. They were married for 63 years and lived their entire lives in Eau Claire.Elsie worked as a nurse at Luther Hospital, then for Dr. Tanner, and finally for Drs. George and David Miller until her retirement in 1970. After retirement, Elsie and George volunteered at the Sacred Heart Hospital Information Desk. They also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals throughout the Eau Claire area. In 2003, Elsie and George moved to Heritage Apartments and would share a drink on the porch and play cards with friends at the end of the day. Elsie was able to reconnect with many friends from her school years during a rehab at DOVE Health Care and subsequent move to Grace Willowbrook. In recent years, she enjoyed Sunday Morning breakfasts with friends and spent evenings reading a good biography or history or doing the crossword puzzle. \r\nElsie enjoyed the company of friends, bridge games, water skiing, winter skiing and golf. In 1966 she hit a hole in one. Always ready for adventure, Elsie and George traveled throughout the United States and to Europe and China. She attended her grandchildren's graduations in Maryland, Hawaii, and Florida, and their weddings in California and Alaska. Elsie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church her entire life. She was confirmed in 1931 and was a member of the Grace Lutheran Women of Grace and a board member. Elsie was an example to her family for never giving up on those she loved, finding ways to help others, visiting friends and family who were ill, and always respecting other's religious differences. Her religion was a source of comfort and strength throughout her life. She will be missed.She is survived by a sister, Grace Winifred Baker Tweet Ulring; three daughters and a son, Mary Erikson, Katie (Dan) Kyndely-Saunders, Ann (John) Paddock, and Michael (Amy Eddy) Brunner of Eau Claire; five grandchildren, Kiera (Pete) Durgan, Brion (Carla Gomez) Berkley, Ian (Suzie) Paddock, Lea (Bill O'Connell) Paddock, and Rick Brunner; and eight great-grandchildren, Elle and Addison Durgan, Sean Paddock, Mari O'Connell, Isaac and Julian Harris, and Anna and Austin Skinner.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, George in 2004; her parents, Arent Olaf Baker 1937 and Mary Charlotte Sollar Baker 1977; and her sister, Mary Elizabeth Baker Duerst in 1991.\r\nHer family thanks her doctors, particularly Dr. Saleh Obaid, who was likely the reason she lived ninety-two years. The family would also like to thank the staff at St. Joseph's Hospice, DOVE Health Care, and Grace Willowbrook who provided excellent care and the social interactions that made her life enjoyable. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Foundation, P.O. Box 287 Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54702; Covenant House, PO Box 731, New York, New York 10108-0900; or St. Joseph's Hospice, 2261 County Road I, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.\r\nThe funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on January 4, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Eau Claire. Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.

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