Elsie M. Brucker

On Saturday, November 3rd, 2018 Elsie Mae Brucker passed away at the age of 88. She is survived by her husband Dennis J. Brucker. She has two living children, Linda and Kenneth, and one son, Steven, who passed away earlier this year. Elsie Mae Brucker was born on August 8th, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to William Warren Lassiter and Elsie Mae Newlin Lassiter. As a young child her family moved to England, then they came back to the States when she was around 8 years old. She came to Texas to attend Trinity University in San Antonio. In addition to earning her bachelor’s at Trinity, she also earned a Master’s degree at the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Her degree and her vocation were in education. There in Houston, Elsie met Dennis Brucker at a church singles group, and they were united in marriage in 1980. Later this month Denny & Elsie would have celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary. In November of 1982 Denny took a job in Denver and they spent a number of years in that area. In 2001 they moved again – this time all the way around the world to Central Asia. They went to the country of Kyrgyzstan as missionaries and were there until 2004. Elsie suffered a stroke, so they moved back to the US, moving here to New Braunfels to be close to her son and grandchildren. She enjoyed watching movies, playing games, and an occasional weekend getaway to a Bed & Breakfast. While in Colorado Elsie and Denny frequently went hiking. Elsie was a dedicated Christian, as you can tell from the fact that she was willing to go all the way around the world to share the good news that we have in Christ. She also showed her love and commitment for the Lord by teaching Adult Sunday School, by holding small group Bible Studies in their home and helping at the Sheridan Youth Ministry. Denny had these wonderful words of tribute for Elsie: She was the best woman I could have wanted for a wife. She stood by me when I thought about going back to college. She encouraged me, knowing that she had done it herself, that I’d be working during the day and studying during the nights and weekends. Oftentimes she would bring a picnic basket so we could eat together between work and classes and wait in the library while I attended class. She was always a great support – through good & bad she was always there for me. Because of her faith in Jesus Christ, Elsie is now at home with the Lord in heaven. Her pastor said of her: As I think about her life this thought comes to mind: There’s living a long life, and then there’s a living a good life – a life well lived. Elsie Brucker did both.