Elsie Arlene Brandyberry, age 81, of Hill City, Kansas, passed away
Thursday September 23, 2021. Elsie was born October 29, 1939 to Earl
and Mildred(Morgan) Hildebrand and was a little sister to her brothers
Reno and Darrell. Elsie was a tomboy and loved sports and playing on
the creek with her brothers.
Elsie graduated from Hill City High School and received her
Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Fort Hays State University where
she was a member of the women’s tennis team. Elsie taught Women’s Health
and Physical Education at Hill City High School and coached a girl’s
tennis team. This was before girls’ sports were recognized in schools,
so Elsie drove the girls around to play in her own car. Elsie married
Willis Brandyberry July 25, 1964, at the Hill City Methodist Church.
Elsie and Willis had three children: Steven of Hill City, Stanley of
Hill City, and Staci of Kansas City. Elsie was a hard-working farmer
and rancher and believed in community. She volunteered with the Happy
Crickets 4-H Club, Graham County Extension, Graham County Community
Foundation, and the Graham County Historical Society. She enjoyed her
six grandchildren and attended as many of their events as possible.
Elsie is survived by her brother Darrell; her husband Willis; her
son Steven and his wife Barbara of Hill City and his son Heath of
Wichita; her son Stanley and his wife Mary of Hill City and their
children Everett, Asa, and Georgia; and her daughter Staci and her
husband Don of Kansas City, Missouri and their children Isaac and Conor.
A private interment will be held at Prairie Home Cemetery and a
celebration of life will be held December 27, 2021, at the Stinemetz
Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Graham County Historical
Society.