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Elsa K. Carrell, formerly known as Elsa K. Reichert, passed into the arms of her savior on June 22, 2022. She was born in Munich, Germany, on July 27, 1929. Elsa was living in an orphanage when her foster parents chose her at a young age. She loved them, and they loved her.
She was placed, by Hitler’s demand of all teenage girls, in a youth camp. She was to be trained to nurse the wounds of soldiers from the war, as well as to learn to care for the garden and tend to other household chores. She lived in Munich until she was a young adult. She met Lloyd Irwin, an American soldier. They had a son, George Irwin. The family moved to Powell, Wyoming, when George was in grade school.
In 1963, Elsa married Art Reichert, who owned the Coast to Coast store. The business flourished, and Art and Elsa traveled to many places internationally. They were married 47 years when Art passed away in Billings, Montana.
In 2011, Elsa married Robert (Bob) Carrell and the marriage gave joy to both of them, even though short-lived due to Bob’s passing in 2016. She inherited Bob’s family, and it was a love relationship for both Elsa and the family. She was particularly close to Bob’s daughter, Laura Odegaard.
In 2020, shortly after Laura married Doug Hartley, they moved Elsa to Phoenix, Arizona, to live with them. Even though Elsa had health issues starting, she kept faithful with her walking and exercising.
Elsa was a strong, intellectual and independent woman. She gained great satisfaction by being involved in the business women’s organization of Powell. She was able to present her knowledge internationally and was well respected. She was also instrumental in establishing the Student Friendship Family Program at Northwest College, which became a model for other institutions. Whatever she was involved with, she gave more than 100%.
Elsa belonged to the United Methodist Church in Billings, Montana. She will be missed by her family and friends. Her survivors include her son, George (Jean) Irwin of San Jose, California; Robert (Kathy) Carrell of Indianapolis, Indiana; Charles (Crystal) Carrell of Houston, Texas; Laura (Doug Sr.) Hartley of Peoria, Arizona; Alice (Terry) Baughman of Nine Mile Falls, Washington, in addition to many friends in Billings, Montana, and Powell, Wyoming.
Elsa’s cremation remains will be put in a special place that she requested, and a memorial service will be held at a later date in 2023. Any memorials in her name can be sent to Northwest College Foundation in Powell, Wyoming.
