Elsie Emily Butenschoen Creider passed on to eternal life November 10, 2010. Born to Walter August and Helen (Jacklitch) Butenschoen near Eufaula, Oklahoma on February 23, 1926, Elsie graduated as salutatorian from Eufaula High School in 1944. She was working for Carter Oil Company in Tulsa when she and her partner in life, William Emerson Creider, married on April 22, 1946. She devoted her life to her family.
Elsie was preceded in death by her loving husband Bill, by her parents, brother George Butenschoen, sister Helen Cunningham, and daughter-in-law Ann Creider. She is survived by brother Joe Butenschoen (Millie) of Checotah, sister Rosemary Karleskint (Al) of Tulsa, her nine children and their spouses, 19 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her children are: Tom of Midwest City, Susan Stackler (Lou), Paul (Margaret), and Janice Sharp (John) all of Tulsa, Charles (Chris) and Philip (Lynn) both of Broken Arrow, Mary Altendorf (Luke) of College Station, Texas, John of Jensen Beach, Florida, and Joe of Tulsa. Elsie was a proud and loving grandmother to Sarah List (Jay), Torrey Creider, Elizabeth Doyle (Travis), Julia Stackler, Kate Creider, Laura Creider, Kenny Sharp (Holly), Emily Sharp, Andrew Sharp, Corey Creider (Adrian), Craig Creider, Jennifer Smith Lawson (John), Christopher Smith, Nicholas Creider, Benjamin Creider, Matthew Altendorf, Amelia Altendorf, Jacob Altendorf, and Madeline Altendorf. Elsie's family includes George Creider, Jim and Norma Creider, and Rachel Butenschoen.
Elsie and Bill were members of Immaculate Conception Church and then the Church of the Madalene. Faith and education were priorities, and they sacrificed to send their children to Immaculate Conception School, Bishop Kelley High School, and Oklahoma State University. Elsie worked for the U.S. Postal Service from 1969 to 1989. She loved to travel, read, follow sports, bird-watch, and host family get-togethers. Elsie was a gentle, hard working, uncomplaining woman of faith whose legacy lives on in the loving family she leaves behind. Her family is grateful for the care given to Elsie at St. Simeon's and at St. John Hospital.

Friends may honor her with a contribution to the Bishop Kelley Fund, Bishop Kelley High School,3905 South Hudson Ave., Tulsa, OK 74135 (918)627-3390 or Saint Simeon's Foundation, Saint Simeon's,3701 North Cincinnati
Tulsa, OK 74106, (918)425-3583.

Viewing will be Sunday, November 14 at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel from 1:00-2:30 pm. A Rosary will be held Sunday at 4:00 pm and a Funeral Mass Monday, November 15 at 10:00 am, both at the Church of the Madalene.