Elsie Halderman Burton

Elsie Lee Halderman Burton went to walk the Streets of Gold on May 15, 2017. She will be welcomed into the loving arms of her husband, Melvin Sylvester (Peewee) Burton, her parents Edwin Channing and Mary Ellen Russell Halderman, brothers Roy, Ray, and John Halderman, and grandson Melvin Widner. Elsie was born January 22, 1931 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico and lived in Palma as a young girl. The family moved to Encino where she graduated from the Encino High School. She married Peewee Burton in 1948 celebrating 46 years of marriage. She worked tirelessly for her family in the home as well as holding down various jobs at the City of Encino, the Public Schools of Encino and Vaughn, as well as nutritionist for the Torrance County Extension in Estancia New Mexico. She volunteered her time as a 4-H leader, Lady’s Extension Club, Encino Methodist Church and at the Vaughn Senior Citizens Group. Her green thumb turned every root and seed into the beautiful garden she so loved to work in. Her hands were never idle as she sewed, knitted, and crocheted. Her talent in the kitchen was not to be denied as she shared her baking, jams, and canning with family and friends. Enjoying card games, reading mystery books, and her Bible kept her sharp and quick-witted to the very end of her days. Her sweet spirit and sparkling blue eyes will be remembered by surviving sisters; Mary Richmond and Betty Houston, daughters and son; Mary Lee (Bill) Widner, Barbara Jaramillo (Steve Kranz), Janet (Raimundo) Nascimento, Danny (Dorothy) Burton, and Kathie (Don) Sultemeier, eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, along with many other dear family members and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1pm Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Baptist Church in Vaughn, NM with Ernest Copeland officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Vaughn. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street, Santa Rosa, NM. (575) 472-3369.