Elsa Alvina Banyai
Funeral services were Saturday Sept. 28, 2024 at 1 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, Fairview, MT with Pastor Richard Evans officiating. A luncheon followed the service for a time of fellowship and sharing. Visitation was Friday Sept. 27, 2024 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Fulkerson Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Sidney, MT. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT, is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.
Elsa Alvina Hollom Banyai was born June 27, 1930, to Alvilda and Andrew Hollom. She grew up on a farm in the Girard community with her parents, sisters Lorraine, Myrtle, and Evelyn, and one brother Oral.
Elsa attended school through eighth grade and rode horse five miles each way even in severe blizzards. After eighth grade she attended school in Sidney while living with a pastor and babysitting children. She graduated high school at the age of 16 and went on to attend college for two years. After college she had various jobs. One of her favorites was the ASCS office and she always had stories to tell about many farmers. She later moved to Boulder, MT, where she retired after 15 years of working at the state hospital.
Elsa was blessed with four children who were the love of her life, and she worked very hard to support: Arlys, Robert, Cindy and Larry. Elsa loved to quilt and really enjoyed the time spent with Quilting Ladies at Zion Lutheran Church. She kept very busy with her flowers, gardening and feeding all the neighborhood cats. She also loved to dance. One thing she was always very proud of was running the Governor's Cup at the age of 76.
Elsa was blessed with five grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren, with the latest being only two days old. Elsa had a special bond with her great-great-granddaughter Paisley who visited her weekly at Extended Care where they both looked forward to their milk shakes made with love from Dorothy.
Elsa passed away on Sunday Sept. 22, 2024, at Sidney Health Center with family by her side.
She is survived by her children Arlys Lewis, Fairview, MT; and Robert Sunderland (Barb), Whitehall, MT; grandchildren Vicki Howard (Dan) Livingston, MT; Lisa Elken (Rodney), Fairview, MT; Brian Sunderland, Whitehall, MT; Kristen Sunderland, Phoenix, AZ; and Beth Hartford, Helena, MT; great-grandchildren Danielle Eustice (Aaron), Sidney, MT; Brittany (Scott) Andreasen, Fairview, MT; Colten Schneider (Sierra), Fairview, MT; Ashley (Dakota) Orozco, Wichita, KS; Daniel Chizek, Seattle, WA; and Ryan Bauer, Miles City, MT; great-great-grandchildren Brody, Brady, Bradley and Brawley Eustice, Sidney, MT; Paisley and Paxten Andreasen, Fairview, MT; Emery Schneider, Fairview, MT; and Allistar and Alarielle Orozco, Wichita, KS; and nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Alvilda and Andrew; two children Larry and Cindy Sunderland; husband; sisters Lorraine Haase, Evelyn Hollom, and Myrtle Garten; brother Oral Hollom; and son in law Gary Lewis.
Special thanks to the Sidney Health Center Extended Care for the love and care you shared with Mom and grandma. We appreciate you.
She will be greatly missed.
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