Elsie Perkes Obituary

Elsie Perkes, 90, passed away peacefully in her home on her birthday, March 11, 2025, in Blackfoot, Idaho.

She was born March 11, 1935 to Anton Ivan and Juanita Gladys Gruvman, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

She graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1953 then Ricks College in 1962.

She married her sweetheart, Leon Perkes on August 24, 1962 in the Idaho Falls Temple.

They had four children, Rae Lynn (Dennis) Park, Reed (Saundra) Perkes, David (Shelly) Perkes and Leslie (James) Phillips. They have 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Elsie was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served a mission in Uruguay in her youth, and also served in the New Mexico Albuquerque mission later in her life. She served as a temple ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls temple. She served as Relief Society president in her ward, she was a counselor in the stake and a Cub Scout leader for many years. She worked with Leon in the Family History Center and was a faithful visiting teacher

Some of her jobs throughout her life were: a lifeguard, grocery clerk, secretary to a professor at Ricks College, a janitor for the church, a paper director for the Morning News and migrant teacher for the Blackfoot school district.

Elsie loved reading, watching Hallmark movies and being with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Aspen Blackfoot Hospice for their loving care of our mother, especially Cassie and Jen, who went up and beyond the call of duty. Thank you so much.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Teton LDS Chapel at 660 Teton Road in Blackfoot, ID. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Moreland Cemetery, all under the direction of Hawker Funeral Home.