Home > United States of America > Montana > Madison County > Sheridan > Sheridan Cemetery > Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser

Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser

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Birth	:	12 Jun 1922 Jordan, Garfield County, Montana, USA
Death	:	18 Aug 2017 Jackson, Teton County, Wyoming, USA
Burial	:	Sheridan Cemetery, Sheridan, Madison County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.4342003, -112.1781006
Description	:	Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser died August 18, 2017 at St. John’s Living Center in Jackson, Wyoming. Born June 12, 1922 in Jordan, Montana, she was 95 years old. She is survived by her children, Ray Elser (Jackson), Shelley Elser (Jackson), Diana Elser (Seattle), one of her six brothers, Everett Davenport (Apple Valley, California), three grandchildren (Jamie, Christopher, and Derek), two great grandchildren (Isla and Mia), and 19 Davenport nieces and nephews, plus 19 more by marriage. Cleo grew up in the eastern Montana Missouri Breaks on a ranch homesteaded by her mother, Winnie Lee Davenport (from east Texas), and... Read More	Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser died August 18, 2017 at St. John’s Living Center in Jackson, Wyoming. Born June 12, 1922 in Jordan, Montana, she was 95 years old. She is survived by her children, Ray Elser (Jackson), Shelley Elser (Jackson), Diana Elser (Seattle), one of her six brothers, Everett Davenport (Apple Valley, California), three grandchildren (Jamie, Christopher, and Derek), two great grandchildren (Isla and Mia), and 19 Davenport nieces and nephews, plus 19 more by marriage. Cleo grew up in the eastern Montana Missouri Breaks on a ranch homesteaded by her mother, Winnie Lee Davenport (from east Texas), and her father, William Smith Davenport (from Kentucky). They hauled drinking water in barrels from the river on a sled, had no electricity, and lived in a two-room house. In 1936, the US government bought the ranch in preparation for building the Ft. Peck Dam, and the family of nine moved to Jordan – Cleo was 14. A blue-eyed, auburn-haired beauty with an infectious laugh, she graduated from Garfield County High School and won a scholarship (with the help of her high school principal) to University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana, where she graduated from “normal school” and became an elementary school teacher. Her first job was in Highwood, Montana, where she and fellow teachers lived in rooms over the local bar and restaurant. She taught grades 1, 2 and 3 in one room. In 1943 she worked the summer in Seattle for Boeing as a Rosie Riveter; because of her small size she worked inside the planes. In spring of 1944, she met her future husband, Harry Elser (a brand new first lieutenant and meteorologist in the US Army), on a blind date arranged by a teacher friend. She and Harry married in Butte on December 22, 1944, and she joined him via the first plane ride of her life for Christmas and New Year’s at his White Horse posting in Yukon Territory, Canada. They shared a deep commitment to one another, family life, education, and having fun for 35 years. After the war, her husband joined the US Weather Service as a weather forecaster. She went with him to Washington DC where he received orientation, and they accepted his first job in Great Falls, Montana, where daughter Diana was born. The Weather Service next took them to Helena, Montana where daughter Shelley was born, and then to El Paso, Texas, where son Ray was born. In El Paso, Cleo became the Ranchland Hills PTA President, helping to organize get acquainted “coffees” in support of integration in the schools. The family then enjoyed a temporary assignment in Montreal, Canada, moved back to Great Falls briefly, then Bountiful, Utah and Boise, Idaho. During the Utah years, Cleo served on the board of deacons for the Bountiful United Church of Christ, and was active in Davis County League of Women Voters and Planned Parenthood. An accomplished seamstress, gardener, dancer, and avid reader, she was practical, had a great sense of humor ̶ and not a shred of self-indulgence. After her husband died in 1979, Cleo moved from Boise to Jackson, Wyoming, where she worked in her daughter’s jewelry business (DanShelley Jewelers, Gaslight Alley), and got to know many Jackson locals. Cleo and her husband had been key investors who helped grow the Gaslight Alley business over time, and Cleo continued that support. She was active in the Teton County League of Women Voters, and the Senior Center Book Club. With friends and sometimes family, she toured Australia, cruised the Mediterranean, spent time in Hawaii and Mexico, and enjoyed many Elder Hostel adventures across the American Southwest. She was able to live at home with her son Ray until the last 16 months of her life when her dementia and physical problems became more severe. © Valley Mortuary August 25, 2017

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser's memorial?
Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser's memorial is located at: Sheridan Cemetery, Sheridan, Madison County, USA.
When did Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser death?
Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser death on 18 Aug 2017 in Jackson, Teton County, Wyoming, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Cleo Evelyn Davenport Elser's memorial?
Latitude: 45.4342003
Longitude: -112.1781006

Family Members:

Parent

William Smith “Red” Davenport

(1884 - 1958)

Winnie Lee Davenport

(1891 - 1983)

Spouse

Harry Lee Elser

(1921 - 1979)

Siblings

TSGT James Eugene “Red” Davenport

(1920 - 1944)

Mary Davenport

(1923 - 1923)

John D Davenport

(1933 - 2002)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Sheridan Cemetery
Sheridan, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4342003, -112.1781006

2. Laurin Cemetery
Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3574982, -112.1050034

3. Twin Bridges Cemetery
Twin Bridges, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5304350, -112.3142840

4. Taylor Cemetery
Alder, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3088989, -112.0781021

5. Masonic Cemetery of Twin Bridges
Twin Bridges, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5423088, -112.3152924

6. Shoshoni Burial Site
Twin Bridges, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5467000, -112.3563000

7. Point of Rocks Cemetery
Twin Bridges, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4117012, -112.4428024

8. Nevada City Cemetery
Virginia City, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3105392, -111.9703598

9. Bird Cemetery
Twin Bridges, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5018000, -112.4483000

10. Boothill Cemetery
Virginia City, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2956009, -111.9480972

11. Virginia City Cemetery
Virginia City, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2971458, -111.9402542

12. Iron Rod Cemetery
Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6474380, -112.3131040

13. Silver Star Cemetery
Silver Star, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6907000, -112.2880000

14. Upper Ruby Cemetery
Burdick Place, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.1517300, -112.1461000

15. Rochester Cemetery
Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6138992, -112.5100021

16. Valley View Cemetery
Pony, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6580000, -111.8814000

17. McAllister Cemetery
McAllister, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4435000, -111.7421000

18. Fish Creek Cemetery
Whitehall, Jefferson County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7599983, -112.1772003

19. Madison Valley Cemetery
Ennis, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3345370, -111.7050900

20. Reichle Ranch Cemetery
Glen, Beaverhead County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4597100, -112.6738100

21. Haining Cemetery
Beaverhead County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4324989, -112.6832962

22. Daems Vetter Cemetery
Varney, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2377635, -111.7550082

23. Evans Cemetery
Jeffers, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3451000, -111.6836000

24. Mountain View Cemetery
Dillon, Beaverhead County, USA
Coordinate: 45.2144012, -112.6016998