Elsie Beth Speer, 85, died Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in Garden City, Kansas. She was born July 21, 1936 in Lane County, the daughter of James Clark and Bessie G. (Edmundson) Johnston.

Elsie was a lifelong resident of the Dighton community where she attended and graduated from local schools. After graduating, she went to college where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree from Kansas State University. She then returned home to start her own career as a teacher in a one-room school. On August 10, 1963, she married Jarold Edwin Speer and from this union three sons were born. The two later divorced.

Elsie Beth loved to play the piano and she did it beautifully. She was selfless, nurturing, and always put the needs of others before her own; a goalkeeper almost at fault. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She attended countless sporting events and activities, sometimes not even for the game itself, but just to watch one of her grandchildren play with the group. Elsie was a member of United Methodist Women, Spring Creek FCE and the As You Like It Club.

Survivors include his children Lloyd Speer of Sylvan Grove, Doug Speer of Garden City and Dean Speer of Dighton, grandchildren – Hannah, Benjamin, Leslie, Jordan, Lani and Carlie. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Alvin Johnston.

Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at The United Methodist Church, interment to follow at Dighton Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Dighton United Methodist Church.

Boomhower Funeral Home PO Box 891 Dighton, Ks 67839