Elma Nordby

Elma E. Nordby was born to Jacob and Esther (Rachul) Prill on December 28, 1923 in Startup, Washington. She passed away on November 13, 2025 in Dayton, Washington. She grew up in Startup and graduated from Sultan High School with the class of 1942. After graduation, she lived in Everett and worked for Pacific Grinding Wheel Company. In 1945 she married Bill Gieseke and they lived in Snohomish and began their family of four children. In 1959, the family moved to Evansville, Indiana where Bill's parents lived. In 1966 she moved back to Startup and worked at the Startup School and then at the Sultan School District as a paraprofessional .

In 1972 she married Mert Nordby. They enjoyed dancing at Normana Lodge in Everett for many years and traveling around the U.S. Mert passed in 2002. Dancing seemed to be important to "keep her moving" she always said.

In 2019, Elma made the decision to move to Wheatland Village Independent Living in Walla Walla to be closer to family. She was very happy living at Wheatland for six and a half years. The residents and staff treated her well. She enjoyed playing bingo, going for walks and rides, watching jeopardy, following the Seahawks, and time spent with family. She kept the family tradition of making strudels and fried chicken at holiday times along with her kids and grandkids. She was a very earnest person and her family was very important in her life. She maintained a positive attitude throughout her challenges.

Elma was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Julie Hoekema, and her siblings Lydia Felix, Marie Solie, and George Prill, and is survived by her sister Ruth Petersen. She is also survived by her son Allen Gieseke, son Ken Gieseke (Cherie), daughter Anita Hutchens (Bob) and eight grandchildren, Michele (Rob) Love, Julie (Ed) Thomas, Will (Shayna) Hutchens, Clay (Rachel) Hutchens, Travis (Teale) Hoekema, Denny (Annie) Hoekema, Kelli (Beau) Cline, Michael (Kate) Gieseke, 26 great grandchildren, and several great great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Many thanks to the doctors and nurses who cared for her, the families and friends who visited, the Corbeill Funeral home, and those who sent cards, provided food, and covered her with prayer. Thank you everyone.