WHISENANT, ELSIE

Elsie Jane Cimino Whisenant was born Oct. 25, 1922, to Stella and Louis Cimino in Colorado Springs, Colo. She graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1940. Elsie married Wayne Edgar Whisenant, Sr. April 13, 1941. They resided in Colorado, except for a few short years spent in Cheyenne, Wyo. In 1964, "Ed" and Elsie moved to Las Vegas. They were happily married for 62 years, until he passed away Oct. 10, 2004. Elsie was also preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Gerald and Louis Cimino; and a sister, Marilyn Cimino Dixon. She is survived by a brother, Loran Cimino of Houston; three children, Mary Jean Whisenant Page (Kenton) of Grand Junction, Colo., Wayne Edgar Whisenant, Jr. of San Bernardino, Calif., and Sandra Jane Whisenant Varney of Las Vegas; seven grandchildren, Leisa Whisenant Crank (Randall), Shawn Edgar Whisenant, Brian Whisenant, Lori Varney, Karen Varney Polito (Paul), Doris Jane Page Petek, and Leonard Wayne Page (Tierney); 14 great-grandchildren, Crystal Wilson, Alyssa, Jonny, Jacob, Jessica, and Jenna Crank, Tyler Polito, Jesse and Courtney Petek, Shyler and Peyton Sackett, Hayden Page, and Doug and Hugh Whisenant; and one great great-granddaughter, Destiny Tarragano. Elsie was an active member in the First United Methodist Church. She will be fondly remembered for the beautiful replicas she made of the Methodist Churches to celebrate the 75th anniversary of FUMC. Her favorite hobby was baking and decorating cakes and cookies. Elsie celebrated life by always putting others' needs above her own. Even though she was afflicted by Parkinson's disease for more than 20 years, she always had a positive outlook and a sweet temperament. When the disease became more advanced, she moved to Grand Junction, Colo., to be cared for by her daughter and family. Elsie passed away peacefully in her sleep May 9, 2006. A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Friday, May 19, at Davis Funeral Home, 2127 W. Charleston Blvd., with Rev. Mike Higgs officiating.

Published May 14, 2006.