Elsie Jukich

Elsie Bergman Jukich, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, at the age of ninety-nine.  She will be remembered for her grace and elegance, resilience, integrity and the values she exemplified, honesty, hard work, and quiet strength.

Born in Colville, Washington, on August 8, 2025, Elsie lived a life guided by a strong interfaith in what’s right.  She believed that a person’s true worth is measured by his/her character, not by circumstance.  She passed those beliefs to her children, who learned from her example that truthfulness, decency, and compassion matter most.

In the 1950s, she took on the enormous task of raising three children on her own.  Though times were difficult, she never complained.  Instead, she poured herself into her work and her family, instilling in her children the value of discipline, self-respect, and perseverance.

One of her greatest sources of pride was her career with the federal government, where she served many years as a stenographer.  She took tremendous pride in her role, not just in the work itself, but in what it represented, confidence, service, and professionalism.  Her job wasn’t just a means to support her family, it was a reflection of who she was.  Her commitment and exemplary work earned her numerous awards and recognition over the years, which she accepted with quiet pride and gratitude.

She also promoted healthy living before it was popular, encouraged her children to eat well, exercise, and take great care of their minds and bodies.  She believed that true strength came from both the body and the spirit, and that cultivating both was key to facing life with dignity and purpose.  She is survived by her three children Diane (Ronald) Prosser, Steve Jukich (Kris), and David (Nancy) Jukich.  She is also survived by four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.  Her legacy lives on in the lessons she taught, the example she set, and the lives she shaped with love.    

A family celebration of life will be held in August on her 100th birthday.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable contribution to the American Heart Association.