Elsie May Lichtenberg

Elsie May Lichtenberg, 84, passed away on January 5, 2026.

Elsie was born on December 21, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri, to William and Virginia Tiepelman. She was the second of five children and grew up surrounded by family, a value she carried throughout her life.

At 18, Elsie married the love of her life, Donald Litchenberg on January 2, 1960. Together they were blessed with 66 years of marriage and four children. Elsie's greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing bingo, fishing, and was a talented quilt maker. She also appreciated the simple pleasures—a well-made martini or a cold beer during a day at the lake —and she never missed an opportunity to enjoy good company and laughter.

A natural leader at heart, she spent many years working as a project manager at McDonnell Douglas aerospace. Elsie and her husband also owned and operated a recycling company that transformed recycled plastics into a variety of items, including stretched soda bottles, earrings, and other unique pieces.

Elsie is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and brother, Fred Tiepelman. Her kind and caring nature will be greatly missed by her children, Karen (Dennis) Dylewski, Scott (Helen) Lichtenberg, Carol (Paul) Sturgeon, and Jackie (Mickey) Stanley; 5 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; siblings, Ida McNab, John Tiepelman, and Silvia Millington; and many extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Terrace Park Funeral Home on Saturday, January 10th with visitation beginning at noon, followed by the funeral service at 1:00pm, and a private burial following in Coloma, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society of Kansas City.