Elsie Virginia (Jackson) Farley was born at home, south of Cody, NE, on the Boiling Springs Flat, March 31, 1929 to Merrill and Lorena (Wobig) Jackson. The family lived southeast of Tuthill, SD. Elsie attended grade school in Cedar Lake. She attended Bennett County High School in Martin, SD and graduated in 1947. After graduation she was employed at Blackpipe State Bank and lived in Martin, SD.

Elsie married George Farley on August 20, 1950. (They celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary last year.) They lived in Martin for a year and then moved to the old Hoffman Ranch north of Cody, NE where they spent 6 years. During this time, they welcomed daughter Karen and son James. They then moved to the Harrington-Vetal area where they resided for 9 years and they welcomed their youngest son, Ron. In 1968, the family purchased the old Stoner farm south of Tuthill. Elsie spent the remainder of her years a mile from her childhood home.

Elsie served on the Tuthill Election Board for several years. She spent many hours sewing, crocheting, playing with her grandkids, providing uncensored advice, and reading. Elsie visited with many friends and family on the phone every day. She often referred to her favorite Mayo Medical book when someone had an ailment. Elsie was always up for a good card game and visiting with friends and family around the table. She taught her kids and grandkids you had to fight hard to win, but she would probably still argue with you about who won. She provided unconditional love to all her family.


Elsie lived on the ranch watching over every move until October 2, 2020 when she moved into Silverleaf Assisted Living in Philip, SD. She passed away May 13th, 2021 at the Philip Hospital.

Thankful for having shared her life include her brother Marvin (Marie) Jackson; sister-in-law Betty Jackson; daughter Karen (Bob) Coyle of Martin, SD; son James (Kristi) Farley of Cody; four grandchildren: Rocky (Denise) Farley of Cody, NE, Georgia (Cody) Miller of Encampment, WY, Andy (Jessica) Coyle of Nenzel, NE and Hilary (Jeremy) Wright of Lincoln, NE; and seven great-grandchildren: Brett (Kaycee) Miller, Bailey Miller, Rachel and Ashley Farley, Brooklyn Coyle, and Taylor and Harley Hopkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband George and son Ron; parents Merrill and Lorena; brother Harold (Sonny) and sister-in-law Donna Jackson, and brother Erwin (Stub) Jackson.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. MST on Friday, May 21, 2021 at the Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Cody, Nebraska with Pastor Bob Dainton officiating.