Elsie Jean Cieri

Elsie J. Cieri of Livingston passed away September 3^rd, 2023, at Caslen Assisted Living Center at the age of 92.  Elsie Jean Harberts was born on August 11^th, 1931, to Theodore and Lilian Harberts, in Worthington Minnesota.  Elsie grew up on the family farm near Worthington, attending country school, and later high school in Worthington, graduating from Worthington High School in 1949.

After high school, Elsie attended Worthington Junior College and the College of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she received her certification as a medical lab technician. In 1955, she moved to Livingston to work at the Livingston Memorial Hospital.  A young meat cutter, Carlo Cieri caught her eye and through mutual acquaintances, a date was arranged.  Carlo and Elsie were married in 1958 and were married for 55 years when Carlo passed away in 2014.

Elsie and Carlo welcomed three children into the world, Mike, Karen, and Marcia.  Family was the center of Elsie’s life.  She balanced being a mom and wife, while working part-time as a lab technician at the Park Clinic for over 30 years.  Elsie and Carlo were very active while raising their children, including playing volleyball together, Elsie playing first base for her women’s softball team for many years, and later in life Elsie being part of a bowling league. Elsie also enjoyed playing and hosting pinochle with her friends.  Family trips to Minnesota were an annual routine along with many other family vacations, and camping trips.

Carlo was a very proficient hunter and fisherman, resulting in a lot of wild game and fish that Elsie prepared.  Elsie had some great recipes for making all meals taste delicious.  Friends of Elsie’s children who had dinner with the family would be amazed how well the wild game meals were prepared and tasted so good.

Elsie and Carlo always had very significant vegetable and fruit gardens, that supplied the family with great meals prepared by Elsie.  One of Elsie’s favorite items to bake when her children were younger was to let them choose from a book an animal or caricature cake for their birthday that she prepared with detail.

Elsie was an active member of the Livingston Junior Women’s league and the Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Carlo and Elsie, in retirement for many years were active volunteers for the Livingston Wheels on Meals program, delivering meals to people’s homes.

In retirement, Elsie and Carlo’s focus was on their garden, yard, and primarily to see their grandchildren, Christine, Brandon, Blair, Kelly, and Carly.   In addition to the trips the grandchildren made annually to Montana each summer, Carlo and Elsie would drive from Livingston to Dallas Texas and Centreville Virgina to see their grandchildren.

After Carlo’s passing in 2014, Elsie continued to live in the family home until 2018, at which time she moved to Caslen Assisted Living Center where she was a regular at the puzzle table.

Elsie was preceded in death by husband Carlo Cieri, her father Theodore Harberts, mother Lilian Harberts, brothers Howard Harberts and Carl Harberts, sister Marlys Harberts. Elsie is survived by her son, Mike Cieri, daughters Karen Duncan and Marcia Reimers (Rick), grandchildren, Christine Jankelow (Laurence), Blair Fiala (CJ), Brandon Cieri, Kelly Duncan, and Carly Duncan, and great granddaughter, Carter Fiala

The family would like to thank the staff and management of Caslen for the care provided to Elsie over these past five years. The family would also like to thank Lorrie Adams for all the care, assistance and support she provided for Elsie.

Per Elsie’s request, no services are planned.  A private family service will be held at a later date.

Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Elsie.

Franzen-Davis Funeral Home is privledged to care for Elsie and her family.