Elsie Jane Molle

Elsie Jane (Richards) Molle, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, was born on February 6, 1932, to Albert and Stella (Gilliam) Richards on a farm west of Mulhall, Oklahoma. She was the oldest of seven children, including four girls and three boys.

In 1936, her family moved to a farm near Crescent, Oklahoma. Elsie attended a one-room schoolhouse through the sixth grade before the family relocated to Lodgepole, Nebraska. She continued her education there and graduated as valedictorian of the Lodgepole High School Class of 1950.

On July 15, 1951, Elsie married her high school sweetheart, Don Molle, at Pilgrim Holiness Church in Lodgepole. Together, they shared more than 61 years of marriage. The couple lived in Chappell, Nebraska, until 1955, when Don was drafted into the United States Army. During his two years of service, they were stationed in Georgia, first at Fort Gordon in Augusta, where their daughter, Carla Ann, was born, and later at Camp Stewart in Hinesville.

Following Don's military service, the family returned to Chappell, where he joined his brother in the construction business. In 1976, they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where Don continued working alongside his brother in remodeling. While living in Chappell, Elsie worked at Red & White and Leopold Drug Store while also helping Don with his construction work. After moving to Grand Island, she enjoyed a long career in pharmacy retail, working at Ben's Rexall for 31 years and later at U-Save Pharmacy until her retirement.

Elsie enjoyed Bible study at Third City Christian Church, traveling to the mountains, working crossword puzzles and word searches, dancing, and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Above all, she cherished her family. Her granddaughters brought her immense joy, and she rarely missed an opportunity to attend their concerts, sporting events, and other activities. She delighted in celebrating their accomplishments and creating lasting memories with those she loved most.

Those left to cherish her memory include her granddaughters, Erika Wolfe of Grand Island and Taryn Hoelting and her husband, Jason, of Nelson; her great-grandchildren, JP Hoelting, Lorelei Hoelting, and June Hoelting; her brothers, Robert (Shirley) Richards and Preston (Nancy) Richards; her sister, Glenna (Bruce) Kreager; her sister-in-law, Camille Richards; her brothers-in-law, Don Brown and John Andre; special nieces, Pamela Hervert (Don) and Sharolyn Molle; and many other beloved nieces and nephews.

Elsie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Don Molle; her daughter, Carla Ann Wolfe; her son-in-law, Richard Wolfe; her parents, Albert and Stella Richards; her parents-in-law, Rev. Elmer and Ethel Molle; her sisters, Peggy Andre and Ardena Brown; her brother, Benny Richards; her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Walter Pounds; and her special niece, Mary Molle.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Monday, November 2, 2026 at Apfel Funeral Home with Nick Schonlau officiating. Burial will follow in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 12:30 PM until the start of the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The GRACE Cancer Foundation.