Elda Louise Newcom

Elda Louise Kelman Newcom was born July 23, 1922, in the family farmhouse west of Pretty Prairie, KS. She grew up in Pretty Prairie with older sister, Ruth, and younger sister, Esther. After graduating from Pretty Prairie High School, she attended Southwestern College in Winfield until her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Kent Newcom, on September 22, 1942. They lived on the farm until August 1965 when they moved to Garden City. They had two children, Janice and Charles.

Elda was a homemaker, skilled seamstress until her eyesight weakened, great cook, and baked cookies and other goodies until nearly her 100th birthday when her hands had weakened to a point, she was afraid she might burn herself. Anyone who helped her with something at her house, or an appointment, always left with a plate, if not a bagful, of cookies. Visitors, too, regularly left with cookies which she baked daily well past her 99th birthday. Her Christmas cookies were a particular specialty.

Faith and family were the core of her existence. While confronted with many significant heartaches over her life, she never wavered in her faith that "all things work together to those who love the Lord." She remained active in her church. When getting to church became difficult, she listened to sermon tapes, continued tithing, and delighted in the visits from her many church friends. Her children and grandchildren (Paul, Natalie, and Chip) were a source of pride and conversation. Her great-grandchildren (Hattie, Elizabeth, Sebastian, and James) were a delight to her. Though she could not see them as often as she would have liked, she treasured their calls and always inquired about them in her calls with Chuck.

Fiercely independent, in her late 80's she insisted on taking her driver's test the last allowable fourth time. Then shortly after finally passing, and getting her renewal, she voluntarily gave up her license. She did not want anyone to "take" her license. Even with her vision and hearing limitations she insisted on staying in her own home until two months short of her 101st birthday. Many have heard, and remember, her regular comment for many years "at least I'm still in my own house." Her continuing "independent streak", even in her final days, were not infrequently a source of some frustration though always lovingly understood.

Elda died peacefully on February 4, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kent, her daughter, Janice, and her sisters, Ruth and Esther. She is survived by her son, Chuck, her grandchildren, Paul, Natalie, and Charles, and her great-grandchildren Hattie, Sebastian, Elizabeth, and James Kent.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at First Southern Baptist Church in Garden City, Kansas, with Pastor Josh Gordon officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. There will be no calling hours. The family suggest memorials given to the First Southern Baptist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N. 7th St., Garden City, Kansas 67846. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.