Gretchen Ann Elslager

Gretchen Ann Elslager, 78, of Harrisburg, NC, passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024.

Gretchen was born April 18, 1946, in DuBois, Pennsylvania, to the late William Rhinehold Faulk and the late Nathel Lucille Faulk. She grew up in Clarion, PA where she met her husband, Thomas “Dick” Elslager. 

Gretchen was a loving wife and mother, with a love for her family that was above all else. She found great joy in seeing her children and grandchildren as much as she could, and had the pleasure of being with her three youngest grandchildren almost everyday prior to their school age years. Beyond her family, Gretchen never met a stranger, and was always engaging in conversation with those she came in contact with. Gretchen also loved to travel and visit new places. Through her and her husband’s many travel adventures throughout the years, Gretchen had the opportunity to visit several different countries and fell in love with the castles seen throughout Ireland. In the final year of her life, she and Dick had their last adventure together by moving to Florida where she enjoyed the warmer climate and the many activities available to them. Ultimately, she and Dick decided to move back to North Carolina to be closer to their family. 

Survivors include her beloved husband of 59 years, Dick Elslager of Harrisburg, NC; son, Richie (Alisha Jacobs) Elslager of Monroe, NC; son, Tyler (Richard) Long of Harrisburg, NC; daughter-in-law, Lisa Elslager of Harrisburg, NC; granddaughter, Taylor Elslager of Charlotte, NC; grandsons Jacob and Nicolas Elslager of Harrisburg, NC; granddaughter Addisson Long of Harrisburg, NC; grandson Justin Long of Harrisburg, NC; grandson Dallas (Amber) Long of Rockwell, NC; brother Eric (Mary) Faulk of Pittsburgh, PA.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Elslager family.