Mary Carol Elsen

Mary Carol (Berg) Elsen (78) of La Crosse, WI passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on November 27th, 2025 after a brief battle with cancer.

Mary was born on December 14th, 1946 to John & Agnes Berg. She grew up the baby of the family of 5 on the Berg family farm in rural Coon Valley. After graduating from Westby High School in 1965, she entered the workforce at St. Francis Hospital as a switchboard operator. In January of 2018, Mary retired after 40+ years of dedicated service.

On May 20, 1967, Mary was united in marriage to David “Whitey” Elsen. They raised two sons, Jim and John while living on French Island. They shared many happy years and memories there. Sadly, Whitey passed away on March 31, 2006 after nearly 40 years of marriage. In 2008, she had coffee with an old friend, Arden McCallson. They became inseparable for the next 17 years with Arden being faithfully with her until the end of her life.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved attending all her grandchildren’s events, going for rides with her boys; sometimes even to a casino, Bunco with the North Ridge Ladies, racing, winning trophies at car shows, showing off her and Arden’s Mustangs, painting yard art and watching the Brewers and the Bucks. She was a member of the Coon Valley Legion Auxiliary for 56 years and enjoyed many volunteer opportunities. In retirement, she also enjoyed going on trips and dinners with her special switchboard co-workers and old friends. She was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent. She also was looking forward to becoming a Great-Grandma in March 2026.

Mary has reunited with her husband, David “Whitey” Elsen, her parents, John & Agnes Berg, in-laws, Leo & Helen Elsen, brothers, Jack (Shirley) Berg, Kenneth (Yvonne) Berg, Richard Berg, brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob Elsen, Bud Becker, Yvonne Whiteman, niece Shari Berg, nephews Bryan Berg & Shane Elsen, great-niece Lauren Berg, great-nephew Andrew Elsen and many other family and friends.

Mary’s light will continue to shine through her two sons, Jim (Angela) Elsen, and their children, Carly (Jacob Gardner) Elsen, Aaron (Kate Brant) Elsen, Alivia (fiancé Graham Myers) Kistler & Joshua Elsen. John (Shelly) Elsen and their children, Natalie (fiancé Alexander Motley) Elsen & Jameson (Lauren Johnson) Elsen, her sister, Joyce (Marv) Temp, her longtime companion Arden McCallson and his family, brothers and sisters-in-law, Rachel Berg, Patty Becker, JoAnne (Denny Schlicht), Jerry (Dawn) Elsen, Dan (Nancy Tremmel) Elsen, Betty Elsen, David Whiteman, Coreene Ruby and many nieces and nephews.

Mary’s family extends an enormous thank you to the special caregivers at Agrace Hospice for their exceptional loving care and compassion throughout her illness.

A visitation will be held at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse, WI on Friday December 5th, 2025 from 5:00-8:00p.m. Services will be held the following day on December 6th, 2025 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of La Crescent, MN. Funeral service will begin at 11:00a.m. with a visitation taking place an hour prior. Following the service, a lunch will be held at church.

Memorials can be directed to Coon Valley American Legion Auxiliary Post 116 or Agrace Hospice.