Elsie L. Slagter, 85, of Marcus, Iowa passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Brookestone Acres in Columbus, Nebraska. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Marcus, Iowa. Rev. Alan Cummins will officiate. A private family burial will take place at Marcus Amherst Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the service on Saturday. Expressions of sympathy may be directed through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com

Elsie LaVon Cuthrell was born in Grand Meadow Township on July 31, 1931, the fourth of 11 children born to Elmer and Helen (Nelson) Cuthrell. She graduated from Grand Meadow High School in 1949. Following her graduation from high school, Elsie worked at a local grocery store, before marrying Larry Slagter on June 24, 1951.

Elsie and Larry purchased the local bowling alley in 1951, later moved and expanded it at its current location where it became Larry’s Lanes. Elsie and Larry took pride in providing a safe environment for Marcus youth and fun and challenge to anyone wanting to improve their game. Elsie continued to teach bowling through Marcus Community School's physical education program after they left the business. Elsie bowled competitively on the Big Bowl TV show in 1963 and in 2009, she was nominated and inducted into the Iowa Bowler’s Hall of Fame.

In 1965, Elsie began a long career with Marcus Community Schools, wearing the many hats of secretary to the principal and superintendent, bus driver, teachers' aide, ticket seller, rule enforcer and student advocate. Elsie served as a volunteer with the MMC Foundation for 14 years and retired from Marcus Community Schools in 1996, after 31 years of service.


Elsie was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church in Marcus, where she served as Church Council Secretary and took great pride in assisting with the construction of the Fellowship Hall. She additionally served as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 60 years; selling Veteran-made poppies to support hospitalized veterans, ensuring hospital equipment availability to Marcus residents, holding every unit office and serving as 9th District County President.

Of the many who are grateful to have shared her life are her daughters, Trudy Slagter and her husband, Neil Gluckman and Valerie Eickholt and her husband, Richard “Ike” Eickholt; her three grandchildren, Eliot Gluckman, his wife Minna and their son, Erasmus, Rhea Gluckman and David Eickholt; her step-grandchildren, Spike Eickholt, his wife, Anna and their son, Henry, Tammy Schroyer, her husband Mel and their children Levi and Isaac, and Scott Eickholt; sisters, Helen Du Charme and Carole VanRensselaer; brothers, Ron Cuthrell and Don Cuthrell, and his wife Natalie Cuthrell; sister-in-law, Phyllis Cuthrell; beloved nieces and nephews; her ‘adopted’ middle daughter and friend, Kathy Tillo; and her dear friends, David and Lucille Pearson, Lisa and Jerry Alesch and their sons Owen and Wyatt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Larry; her sisters, Vera Hantsbarger and Judy Kruckman,; brothers, Floyd, James, Lyle and Lloyd Cuthrell; brothers-in-law, Wilbur Hantsbarger, Jere Van Rensselaer and Claude DuCharme; and sisters-in-law, Jan Cuthrell and Bonnie Cuthrell.

Memorials given in Elsie’s name will be used to benefit local students.