Elsie Koch Shufeldt

SCHENECTADY – Elsie Martha Dorthea Koch Shufeldt, 98, passed away at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center on Friday, August 3, 2007. She was born on June 18, 1909 in Schenectady and was the daughter of the late J. George and Elise Graske Koch, Sr. She was married in 1966 to George Shufeldt, of South Berne, NY, who predeceased her in 1967. She was also predeceased by three brothers, J. George Koch, Jr., Arthur Koch, and Walter Koch, and two sisters, Elizabeth Koch Pierce and Gertrude Ruth Koch Sant.
Elsie is survived by her brother, Herbert Koch and his wife, Jeannette, two sisters-in-law, Helen Turon Koch and Arletta Gray Koch as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Elsie was an exceptional school teacher for over 37 years, beginning in 1927. Her first years teaching were in one-room school houses in Medusa, Preston Hollow and Rensselaerville. She later taught in the Scotia-Glenville district at Thomas Corners and Glen-Worden Schools. She retired from teaching on June 30, 1966.
Elsie was a faithful member of what is now the Niskayuna Wesleyan Church for a great many years, serving in numerous areas from teaching Sunday School and playing piano to cooking and cleaning the Church. Elsie loved flowers and gardens. While in her own home, she had extensive gardens and throughout the summer would make bouquets for her own Church as well as others. She also loved to cook and bake. Many will remember her fondly for her Tea Tassies.
Elsie loved to travel and took many trips across the country and into Canada with family and friends.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 12 noon at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.). A calling hour will precede the service from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the funeral home. Interment will be in South Berne Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Elsie's name may be made to the New Faith Family Center (for women and children), Capital City Rescue Mission, 259 South Pearl St., Albany, NY 12202. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerFamily.com