Elsie Tjerne passed away June 30, 2014 at the age of 98. She was born at home in Lowell, WA on December 20, 1915 to Frank and Olive Pigort.
As a child Elsie lived in many places; her favorite being Alpine, a logging camp high in the Cascade Mountains along Hwy 2. Elsie graduated from Roosevelt HS in Seattle and received a teaching certificate from Bellingham Normal (WWU). She taught elementary school for three years in Raymond and Stanwood, and during her last year of teaching she secretly married Gordon Tjerne on New Year's Eve, 1941, as there was a ban on married women teaching in public schools.
Following WWII Gordon earned a degree in pharmacy. They moved to Monroe in 1949 where he co-owned Camp-Riley Drugs, the only drug store between Snohomish and Leavenworth for many years, and later Tri-Valley Pharmacy. Elsie and Gordon were married 60 wonderful and loving years. Although Elsie never realized her childhood dream of becoming a dancer, Gordon loved to dance with her and they never missed an opportunity to trip the light fantastic.
Elsie also had a passion for exercise. From the time she was 60 years old until well into her 90s she briskly walked three miles every day and went to the gym until she was 85. After Gordon's passing, she went daily to the exercise group at the East County Senior Center. She was still doing the splits at 80.
Noted for her sense of style, grace and elegance, Elsie designed and made most of her clothing from the time she was a teenager. She loved fabric and making it into lovely creations. She was always beautiful.
In addition to Gordon, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Lyle and Al Pigort.
A devoted wife and caring mother, Elsie leaves behind her son, Martin (Dugan) Tjerne and his wife, Lynn; daughter, Lynn Bloss, and her husband, Jim; four grandchildren, Judi Bloss, Emily Bloss, Frank Bloss, and Kjellsea Tjerne and three great-grandchildren, John, Tierney and Olive.
A private service is pending. Memorials may be made to the East County Senior Center or Sky Valley Food Bank.
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