Ralph B. Elsen

Ralph Elsen, 69, of rural Dennis, died at 3:30 a.m., Saturday, March 22, 2014 at his home.

He was born March 19, 1945 in Colwich, Kansas to Nick and Emelia (Schwartz) Elsen. He grew up and attended school in Great Bend, Kansas. He later served in the United States Navy.

On November 25, 1972, he and Carmen Henry were married in Seward, Kansas. In 1985, the family moved to Parsons where he worked as a sheet metal worker at Ruskin Manufacturing. Several years ago, they moved to Dennis where he had lived since.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parsons. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family.

Survivors include one son, Allen Elsen, of the home; one daughter, Annette "Annie" Elsen, of the home; two grandchildren, Devon Elsen and Anayah Elsen; two brothers, Nick Elsen, Great Bend, KS and Jerome Elsen, Great Bend, KS; three sisters, Vera Henning, Great Bend, KS, Betty Staudinger, Hoisington, KS, and Connie Watts, Great Bend, KS.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carmen Elsen, on January 16, 2004; two brothers, Dick and Stan Elsen; and one sister, Juletta Elsen.

The rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Following the rosary, cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2014 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend, Kansas.

Memorials are suggested to an educational fund for the Elsen grandchildren. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.