Elsa McQueen Crookston

PRESTON, IDAHO - - ELSA CROOKSTON

PRESTON- Elsa Leah McQueen Crookston, 83, passed away on Nov. 28, 2011, in Preston, Idaho. She was born April 6, 1928, in Preston, Idaho, the eighth child born to James and Leah Smith McQueen.

She graduated from Preston High School in 1946. She enjoyed school and the many close friends she made there. Attending school reunions and renewing friendships was something she always looked forward to. She married Spencer C Crookston on Jan. 9, 1948, in the Logan Temple.

They were blessed with three sons and three daughters. Elsa was a wonderful mother, always making sure that her children felt loved, supported and well taken care of. She lived next door to her parents, taking care of them and helping them when her siblings and their families came home to visit. Many wonderful memories were made with nieces and nephews who loved her. A better neighbor there has never been! Helping out and serving her, friends and neighbors was always one of her priorities.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had the opportunity to serve in many different callings such as a counselor and teacher in the Relief Society, in Young Women's and Primary, as a visiting teacher, as stake and ward librarian and in the Family Indexing and Record Extraction programs. Her testimony of the gospel was strong and temple work was something that was an important part of her life. She was an example to all who knew her, truly an elect lady of our Heavenly Father.

She was an excellent seamstress having sewed many dance costumes, wedding dresses (most of her own and her daughters' dresses), and even the sacred robes of the temple for many people. Drying flowers for friends, counted cross-stitch, teaching her children how to preserve, can and bottle fruits and vegetables, camping and spending time with Spencer, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, were some of the things she loved to do. She was always there to support her children and grandchildren on all occasions, births, blessings, baptisms, graduations, missions and marriages. She worked for many years in Franklin then in the Oakwood Elementary for the Preston School District as a media specialist. Countless lives of children and co-workers were touched by her kind words and encouragement in a job she loved and excelled in. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Spencer C Crookston of Preston; her six children, Nicholas (Geraldine) Crookston of Chubbuck, Idaho; Larry Crookston of Honolulu, Hawaii; Leah Ann Whiting of Boise, Idaho; Janet (Doug) Profaizer of Hyde Park, Utah; Eliza (Carter) Talbot of Logan, Utah; Steven (Mary) Crookston of Preston; nineteen grandchildren, thirty-six great-grandchildren, her sister, Joan McNeel of Blackfoot, Idaho, and by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in the Preston North Stake Center with Bishop Jeff Palmer conducting. Friends may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 South 800 East, Preston, and Monday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the stake center. Interment will be in the Preston Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com