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Elsa Barry, age 104, of New Salem, ND, formerly of Bismarck, ND, died Sunday, January 13, 2013, at Elm Crest Manor, New Salem, ND.
Elsa Othelia Kutz was born to Adolf and Amelia (Boehlke) Kutz on Feb. 14, 1908, near Sykeston, ND. Elsa attended high school in Sykeston and worked at Corson’s General Store. She enjoyed Saturday night dances, doing the Charleston, and riding in a Model-T. When she was 21, she went to Wisconsin to help her sister and then moved to Chicago. She met Theodore Barry on a blind date, and they married on Feb. 10, 1932. Elsa affectionately referred to her husband as Barry, and they were passionate about each other and their life together. They had two children, Sheila Lee and Theodore Ward (Ted) Barry Jr.
Elsa worked in a defense plant during World War II. In 1950, they moved to Elsa’s home town of Sykeston, and leased a gas station/cafe called the Tree-O-Non. They moved to Carrington in 1952 where Theodore worked in sales, and Elsa worked at the Coast-to-Coast store. In 1956, they moved to Minot, ND, where Elsa worked at the S&L Department Store. Elsa was very active in the Lutheran Church and served as president of the Minot Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She loved bowling and playing bridge. They retired in Coeur d’ Alene, ID, in 1971. Theodore died 10 years later. Elsa lived independently in Coeur d’Alene and Bismarck well into her 90s, then moved to assisted living before spending her final years at Elm Crest.
Elsa’s family remembers her loving ways of making them all feel special. She was a classy lady, sharp dresser, great joke teller and loved to have a good time. She savored extra-dry vodka martinis and passed down many fabulous family recipes.
She is survived by her children, Sheila Polries, Bismarck, ND, and Ted Barry Jr. and his wife Betty, Fort Wayne, IN. Polries grandchildren: Linda (Charlie) Donlin, Bismarck; Julie (Lyndon) Larson, Mesa, AZ; Peggy (Mark) Anderson, Bismarck; Patti (Bruce) Penas, Fargo; Larry (Cessna ) Polries, Jamestown; David (Kim) Polries, Thompson; Jon (Steph) Polries, Sykeston; and Barry grandchildren: Theodore (Ted) W. Barry,III (Kim), Kendallville, IN; Brenda (Angelo) Spandrio, Sequim, WA; Timothy (Susan) Barry, Jasper, IN; Lisa Riecke, Fort Wayne, IN; Charles (Laura) Knox, Fort Wayne, IN; David (April) Knox, Leo, IN, as well as 36 great grandchildren and 21 great-great grandchildren.
Elsa was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Martha, Adelaide, and Mae; her brothers, Rudolf, Henry, Theodore, Carl, Arthur and Richard; and her husband Theodore.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at 10:30AM at Grace Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013, 2:00 – 7:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington, ND.
Burial will be at Sykeston Cemetery, Sykeston, ND.
An online guestbook is available at evansfuneralhomend.com