Elsie Marie Mensing

ELSIE MARIE MENSING JUL 2, 1913 - MAY 15, 2010 At 96 years young, our beloved and amazing Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Friend went to be with God, quietly falling asleep with a tired heart. Born Ilse Marie Kipping on July 2, 1913 in Borna, Germany, she was the first born child of the late Friedrich Gustav Kipping and Emma Petersen Kipping. Her only sibling, brother Gerhard Kipping, ten years younger, preceded her in death last January. In our eyes, she was a great woman, always facing challenges and adversity with a positive attitude. Her mother, brother and she were met by their dad in New York City after steaming across the Atlantic to Ellis Island. Moving to Galt allowed Mom to attend a one room school house, where she advanced quickly through the grades. Work was found and a home was built as she graduated from Sacramento High in 1932, then on to Heald's Business College. Not long after, Mom met her soon-to-be husband, Bill Mensing, also from Germany, and they married in 1935. Home was established and family life began in Stockton, followed by a job change in 1957, which brought the family to Modesto for the next 53 years. Wherever Elsie spent her time, she worked hard, made lifelong friendships, and had fun. Whether it was being a book- keeper for Stanislaus County Crippled Children's Services, delivering Meals on Wheels, or participating in Eastern Star, Masonic Widows, Mu Delta Epsilon Soroity, Widowed Persons Service, or Bonsai Club, she truly enjoyed the people surrounding her. Enjoying family and friends was most important, along with gardening, playing cards and traveling, including six trips to Germany. Our loving, caring mom, Elsie, is survived by two children, daughter Carolyn and husband Mills Kerl, and son Bill and wife Andi Mensing-McGhee, all of Modesto. She had much pride in her four grandchildren, Eric Kerl and soon-to-be wife Lauren Kletke of Modesto, Kristin Kerl Wiebe and husband Mike of Ripon, Todd Mensing and wife Sara of Huston, Texas, and Ryan Mensing of New York City. Her seven precious great grand children, whom she adored - Lauren, Grant, and Dillon Wiebe of Ripon, Noah and Ava Kerl of Modesto, and Lucas and Eli Mensing of Houston, always brought a smile to her face. She is also survived by sister-in-law Helen Kipping of Sacramento. After 48 years of marriage, our dad, William H. (Bill) Mensing, passed away in 1984 A sincere and special thank you to all at The Stratford at Beyer Park, where Elsie enjoyed the last 4 1/2 years of her life and Community Hospice for their compassionate care. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Chapel of Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson, California. Remembrances may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, California, 95817, Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, California, 95356, or a charity of your choice. www.modbee.com/obituaries