Elise was born in Council, Idaho August 29th, 1954, to June & Emmett Woody. She grew up around the Council area where she attended the Council School district and participated in school activities. After high school and a failed marriage and being a single mother, she met Jon Walker and after a short time of dating they Married. They lived in Council for a little over a year where their first child was born Zachary. Jon and Elise moved their family Nick, Joanne & Zachary to the family’s Ranch in Weiser. Elise waited table at a local restaurant and in 1984 they had a second child Ashley. Elise & Jon loved their children very much and even though they were a mixed family they were a American family. Jon worked for the Weiser School District and helped with the ranch while Elise continued to wait tables.
Jon sensed there was something wrong with Elise’s mood and mannerisms, upon asking, Jon discovered that Elise was unhappy waiting tables, Elise stated that she was a good student and worked for her dad managing his business books but was never given the opportunity to go on to School. Wrong thing to say to Jon because the next day she found herself setting at the Councilors and Administration office at Treasure Vally Community College enrolled in Business Bookkeeping Classes. Jon and the kids became orphans for the next 9 months as Elise followed her dream of having a higher education. Jon and the kids managed, maybe not the best but they managed. Elise graduated from TVCC and received a Business/Bookkeeping Certificate with top academic honors from her class. Elise strived to grow and improve her employability, always learning and always achieving. Elise worked as a bookkeeper for several years with a couple of different companies in Ontario.
One day she came home and told Jon that there was an opening at the Weiser Chamber of Commerce and of course Jon and the kids said yes go for it. She was a tremendous asset to the Chamber and after a short time, really sort time she was made the Executive Director of the Weiser Chamber of Commerce, a job that she loved and was very very good at. While working at the chamber the family received a very challenging blow. Elise was diagnosed with MS Multiple Sclerosis and after thousands of dollars of tests and doctor visits, including a Neurology doctor Lawrence Green MD confirmed that the diagnosis was correct. Doctor Green examining Elise, and his conclusion was, she would be in a wheelchair within five years. Elise and Jon met this challenge head on with determination, a determination that you would have to know Elise to understand. Five years came and went then ten then twenty, twenty-eight still no wheelchair did I say Determination.
Elise worked for the Chamber until physical handicaps became too hard to overcome, being able to walk great distances during promotions such as Fiddle week when the long days and the extra milage took its toll and she realized she needed to step away. Elise was instrumental in positive changes in the organizations, she had a talent for seeing where changes could be made, to make operations run better, changes that have helped many Directors after her.
Elise was no quitter she continued to work, one day there was a job opening for Love in The Name of Christ, a volunteer position. Elise fell in Love with this organization and the people within the organization. She became the Clearing house coordinator and was very good at this as well. She worked with Love INC for ten years until it became necessary to retire because of her physical health conditions. I believe she would have still been there if it wasn’t for the complications of MS.
Elise always supported her children no matter their direction, weather it was Nick’s wrestling, and College, Joanne’s work, Motherhood and career, Zach’s dance or Ashley’s Pageantry competitions and Motherhood, she was always there for her kids.
Elise didn’t work all the time she loved her kids, Grandkids and Great Grandkids. She once told the Grandkids she was already a Great Grandma and they didn’t have to prove that, but they didn’t listen, she became a Great Grandma for real. The family had many adventures. As a family we took short trips and some long, mostly in the western US, but Elise traveled East for work several times. She loved to take the kids and Grandkids on adventures to Disney Land, Lagon in Utah and Silver Wood in Northern Idaho, Circus Circus in Las Vegas, where we had to buy an extra suitcase to bring all the stuffed animals home. California Red Woods and West Cost Hi-way. One of her most loved things to do was going to Cambridge with the camper and four wheelers to hang out at her brother Tom’s ranch. She said it was so restful with peace and quiet and the trail rides were nice and level.
Early in their marriage Elise joined Jon’s mother in church activities and built a great love and trust in the Lord, Elise always said without her trust in Jesus Christ she would have never made it through her challenges. Elise never ceased to amaze everyone who knew her, with this evil debilitating disease she never lost faith in her Lord, never complained, always had a smile on her face and always greeted people with respect even thou she was in constant pain and discomfort also confined to a wheelchair the last four years, she always moved forward never looking back at what could have been only what could be done. Elise was one of the most courageous and strongest people to move forward when everything was pushing her backwards. Elise has no bounds, just peace to run free. She will be missed by many and her family, but she is in a far far better place.
Elise was preceded in death by her mother & father Emmett & June Woody a sister Linda Sue Woody & brother Charles (Chuck) Woody. She is survived by A sister Lavonne Woody, brother Robert (Tom) & Sharon Woody, her Husband Jon C Walker, Kids Nicholas Carter, Joanne Kunce, Zachary Walker, Ashley Walker Franek, her Grandkids, Hayden & Abigail Walker, Audrey & Shaun Wiles, Garret Owings, Joey Carter, Adam Roberts, Braxton Franek, Lander Franek, Waylon Parodis, Great Grandkids, Mackenzie Maestas, Kolt Anderson, Kaycen Anderson, Logan Acevez
Donations may be made to Love INC of Washington County or MS foundation
