Elsie Eileen Cottrell

Elsie Eileen Cottrell, age 93, passed away Wednesday morning, January 31, 2024, at her Meade, Kansas, residence.

She was born July 15, 1930, at Dodge City, Kansas, the daughter of David Glenn Clark and Catherine Marian (Hinds) Clark Knott. John Verl “Jack” Knott was her stepfather later in life. As a young girl she attended school in Ulysses and later Plains, Kansas, graduating from Plains High School in 1948. She attended Kansas State University and later St. Mary of the Plains College, on the President’s Honor Roll, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 1988. A longtime resident of Meade, she was a homemaker and a social worker for Hospice of the Prairie in Dodge City, Kansas. Elsie also obtained her private pilot’s license in the 1960’s.

She was a devout member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, serving several terms on Parish Council, and was one of the chairpersons when the new church and Forst Center were built in Meade. Elsie taught religious education at both the elementary and secondary level for decades. She was an active member of 4-H, most notably in dog projects and photography, and a member of several bridge clubs and ladies’ groups. She was a volunteer for the Arthritic and Cancer Foundation, 4-H, her church and community in countless ways. She invested in people and her philanthropy will continue to resonate beyond her passing. She enjoyed cooking, cleaning her home, playing cards, photography, socializing, fly fishing, flying aircraft, and spending time with her family. She counted many dear friends as family and deeply loved animals, especially her beloved pets.

On September 4, 1950, she married William Ray “Bill” Cottrell, Sr. at Plains, Kansas. After several years of marriage, the couple later divorced. She later married Joe Urban on September 18, 1993. He precedes her in death in 1997.

She is survived by her children, William R. “Bill” Cottrell, Jr. and wife Teresa of Meade, Glenn Rex Cottrell of Meade, Diana L. Cottrell of Liberal, Kansas, Vance R. Cottrell and wife Lisa of Van Horn, Texas, and a son-in-law Bill Goebel of Jetmore, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren, Travis Cottrell and wife Christine of Derby, KS, Gary Cottrell and wife Annette of Castle Rock, CO, Candice Walton and husband Evan of Grand Junction, CO, Stephanie Saucedo and husband Mario of Meade, Stacie Cottrell of Meade, Stephen Cottrell of Meade, Kelli Hillman and husband Nic of Cheney, KS, Abby Ward and husband Evan of Hays, KS, Nicholas Goebel and wife Lauren of Hays, KS, Sterling Cottrell of Meade, Starvanna Locante and husband Lorenzo of Van Horn, TX, Calise Arrazate and husband Nathan of Las Cruces, NM, and Devon Cottrell of Van Horn, TX, and dear granddaughter-in-law Fae (Schnelle) Cottrell of Derby, KS; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; two nephews, J. Marc Cottrell and wife Jeanne, and Kirk Cottrell.

She is preceded in death by her husbands; parents; and a daughter Susan Marie Goebel.

Vigil services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, February 4, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Meade. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2024, at the church. Interment will follow in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade.

The family would welcome memorials to Hospice of the Prairie in care of the funeral home, or a random act of kindness in Elsie’s memory.

Personal condolences may be given to the family at www.fidlerormebachmanmortuary.com.