Elsie Juliette Gonzalez

Elsie Juliette Gonzalez, age 93, of Port Orchard, WA, was called home to her Savior on January 29, 2026, at the Life Care Center of Port Orchard.

Elsie was born May 7, 1932, in Starbuck, Pope County, MN, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants Ole Jobsen Stangeland and Cecelia Johannesdatter Aarthun. She was the youngest of ten children and graduated as valedictorian of her class from Starbuck High School.

After high school, Elsie moved to Seattle to join her sisters Alice, Orpha and Naomi. There she met the love of her life, Henry Gonzalez. They were married in Reno, NV, on December 28, 1957.

As a Navy family, Elsie and Henry lived in several places, including Port Townsend, WA; Sasebo, Japan; San Francisco and San Diego, CA, before settling in Port Orchard, WA. Once her children were older, Elsie “worked federal” at the Naval Supply Center Puget Sound in Bremerton, WA.

In 2019, following a disabling injury, Elsie entered the Life Care Center of Port Orchard, where she remained until her passing.

A life-long Lutheran, Elsie is survived by her children, Karanne Harless of Port Orchard, WA, Mike Gonzalez of Seabeck, WA, and Carole Gonzalez of Port Orchard, WA; seven grandchildren: Melissa, Nicole, Tyler, Brandon, Jordan, Daniel, and Amanda; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Gonzalez (2012); her son Danny Gonzalez (2020); her parents; two brothers; and seven sisters.

Elsie was an avid sports fan and faithfully followed the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, and Gonzaga Bulldogs, and her family likes to imagine her now reunited with Henry, cheering on their beloved Hawks together.

Funeral services will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, WA February 28, 2026 at noon. The service will be livestreamed via Facebook and later available on YouTube.

Elsie’s life spanned more than nine decades, from rural Minnesota beginnings to the Pacific Northwest she called home. She will be remembered with affection by those who knew her.

Memorials may be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church vacation bible school program.