Elsie May Herzog was born April 4, 1926 in Syracuse, Kansas, to Henry Ewalt Herzog and Adeline Kester Herzog.  In 1929, her family moved to Englewood, Colorado.  Elsie graduated from Englewood High School in 1944. She was born again in November, 1945.  She was a faithful church member wherever she was; in the last years at Berean Baptist Church.

In February, 1946, Elsie met Carl Boonstra, who was recently back from WW II, at Englewood Baptist Tabernacle.  They were married May 25, 1947.  In August, 1948, Carl and Elsie moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to attend seminary.  While in seminary, Carl was called to pastor Bear Creek Baptist Church on July 4, 1949, the same day their daughter, Sharon, was born. Their daughter, Carla, was born in September, 1950, in Englewood, CO.  Carl became Associate Pastor at Englewood Baptist Tabernacle in November, 1950.  In November, 1954, their son, John, was born. One year later, November, 1955, Carl and Elsie established East Side Baptist Church in east Denver.

In July, 1972, Carl became Missions Director for Baptist Bible Fellowship, so he and Elsie moved to Springfield, MO.  Elsie traveled to over 50 countries with Carl visiting missionaries.  She loved serving the Lord and serving missionaries.  She was always an encouragement to the missionary ladies with her radiant smile, listening ear, and kind heart. The missionary children as well as the adults enjoyed the cards she sent for each of their birthdays.

Elsie loved and supported her husband in all of his ministries during their 70 years together, and she raised her children to love God.  She touched many lives around the world.

Elsie was preceded in death by her father and mother, her brother, John, her sister, Grace, and her grandson, Zachary Smith.  She is survived by her husband, Carl; her children, Sharon Smith (Jim), Carla Davis (Jim), John Boonstra (Julie); her grandchildren, Nicole Davis Yates (Brian), Michelle Davis, Stacey Smith Myers (Andy), Amanda Smith, Janell Boonstra Herman (Clark), David Boonstra (Heather), Aimee Boonstra; her great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jacob, and Luke Smith, Hunter Yates, Payton Davis, Sean, Julia, Wesley, and Maya Myers, Ryan and Tyler Compton, Christopher and Julian Herman, Brayden Boonstra; her sister, Edna Herzog, other family and a great host of friends.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11:00 AM, Monday, December 4, 2017 at Berean Baptist Church.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM in the church.