Elzada Lee Chaffee, 87, passed away on Monday, April 7th, 2014,peacefully at her home.
Elzada was born in 1926 in Rexburg, Idaho, where her father farmed. She had 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Her mother died in childbirth with her 11th child, leaving 10 children. The baby survived and was raised by neighbors. Her father kept the three oldest boys and the other children went to live with relatives. At the age of 10, Elzada returned to live at her dads where she cooked and took care of the house. Her father was accidently shot when she was 15. She finished her sophomore year of high school. Elzada then came to Montana to care for her sister’s children in Helmville while her sister was pregnant.
It was in Helmville where Elzada first met her future husband, Albert Chaffee. Before they were married, she moved back to Idaho to stay with a sister and also to Ogden, Utah. After returning to Montana, Albert and Elzada were married, September 20, 1943, when she was 16.
They lived in Helmville and Missoula where Al worked as a garage mechanic, and then from 1950 to 1952 they leased ranches in Ovando and Helmville. In 1952 he started a garage in Ovando. In 1959 they moved to Lincoln and ran the truck stop and worked for a logging company.
Elzada and Al had three children, Ronda Lee Chaffee Rapley, Dale W. Chaffee and Bruce E. Chaffee.
In 1964 the family moved to Helena. Al worked at Associated Foods for 2 years as a diesel mechanic. Al and Elzada started Al Chaffee Tires in 1967, which they later sold to Dale and Ronda. After retiring, Elzada and Al spent their winters as snowbirds in Arizona, California and Nevada.
Elzada has brought a smile to many people with her poetry and by playing her harmonica and accordion. She would sing all the old country and western ballads.
Elzada is survived by her son Dale Chaffee (Corinne), son-in-law Bill W. Rapley (Joanne) and four grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren and sister, Lenna Seipert of Rexburg, Idaho.
Elzada is also survived by her many friends at Hunters Pointe, residents and staff, where she called home for the last 14 years.
Elzada is preceded in death by her son Bruce Chaffee in 1972, husband, Albert Chaffee in 1998 and daughter Ronda Rapley in 1999.
As was her request, there will be no memorial service.
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Carol Best says
My husband and I were co-managers at Hunters Pointe a few years ago and we had the privilege of knowing Elzada. She told it like it was and you knew where you stood with her but she was one of a kind and we are glad to have known her. She was a great poet and had a special smile. She loved Wii bowling and was quite good at it. She will be missed – Rest in Peace Elzada and blessings to your family.
Carol and Randy
Big Sky Cremation & Twitchell Funeral Se rvice says
1 file added to the album Elzada Memories Album