Joplin, Missouri - QUAPAW, OKLAHOMA: Elsie Jane Trease, age 97, passed away at 7:15 am, Thursday, February 15, 2024 at Westgate at the Wildwoods, Joplin, MO.

Elsie Jane was born July 22, 1926 in Jasper County, MO. Her parents were John and Olive Buxton Edwards. She lived most of her life in rural Quapaw, OK.

She graduated from Alba, MO high school and then worked as a legal secretary in Joplin for three years. During this time, she met and married the love of her life. They would later buy a farm in rural Quapaw, OK, where together they had a dairy operation, farmed, had beef cattle, hogs, meat rabbits and chickens.

Jane served 52 years on the Ottawa County, OK election board. She taught a literacy class for three years in Joplin, MO, was a member of the Quapaw Ambulance Service for 20 years and was an honorary member of the Peoria Fire Dept. She also held a real estate license in both Oklahoma and Missouri, selling under the Charles Whitehead Agency in Seneca, MO. Jane was a member of the Peoria Baptist Church and was known for the beautiful wedding cakes she created through the years.

She will be missed by the many people whose lives are better for knowing her.

Elsie Jane was married to Charles Bernard Trease on July 28, 1946, in Columbus, KS. He passed away November 3, 1991. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, one brother and four grandchildren.

Surviving are four sons, David Trease, Jasper, MO; Larry Trease (Donna), Milton, FL; Gerry Trease, Pace, FL; and Randall Trease (Marcia), Baxter Springs, KS; one daughter, Jane Anne Burkybile, Quapaw, OK; one brother, Carol "Doc" Edwards, Joplin, MO; one sister, Hazel Trease, Quapaw, OK; 16 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 pm, Tuesday February 20, 2024, at Osborne Memorial Cemetery, Joplin, MO. Dale Heatherly will officiate.