Rosalee Smith Elser

Rosalee Smith Elser, 81, passed away July 4, 2007, at the Rosewood Health Center in Independence, Missouri. She was born in Independence on September 4, 1925, the first of three children to Rosamond Bunnell Smith, and accomplished pianist and elocutionist, and William Wallace Smith, later to become the president of the Community of Christ (formerly Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). In 1931 her parents moved to St. Joseph, Missouri. There she attended school until her senior year of high school. It was also in St. Joseph that Rosalee began taking piano lessons and became a gifted student of the well-known music teacher, Bernice Mitchell. During these years Rosalee performed frequently at recitals, accompanied school musical groups and played for church services. Her family moved to Portland, Oregon in 1943 where she graduated from Washington High School. This was during the time of the Second World War and following graduation Rosalee wanted to help in the war effort. For a year she worked as a production welder at Oregon Shipyard, helping to build Liberty ships. She then enrolled in Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. There she continued her musical studies, writing the freshman class song for their spring musical. Her second year was spent at Graceland College where she received her A.A. degree. She then returned to Portland where she worked as a private secretary for several years. At the age of 47, Rosalee matriculated in the University of Missouri at Kansas City, receiving her B.A. in liberal arts and music theory in 1974. Rosalee was married to Dr. Otto H. Elser at the Stone Church in Independence, Missouri, on June 6, 1953 by her uncle, President Israel A. Smith of the Community of Christ. They have both been involved in the activities of Stone Church for most of their married lives, Otto serving at times as assistant pastor and Rosalee as a long-time organist and accompanist. In 1990 she was ordained as an Elder in the Community of Christ by her brother, Wallace B. Smith, then president of the church. Her piano skills were utilized in many congregations from her early teen years. She later studied organ with Bethel Knoche and Dr. John Obetz. She was a life member of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada and participated in many of the conferences held yearly in various cities in North America. Indeed, one of Rosalee’s most important services to the church was as a member of the Hymnal Committee which produced the church’s new hymnal, Hymns of the Saints, in 1981. She was responsible for harmonizing and arranging many of the hymns selected for this volume, still in use throughout the church today. She also taught numerous workshops on church hymnody, reflecting the interest of her great grandmother, Emma Smith, who compiled the first hymnal for the Community of Christ in the 1830’s. In recent years Rosalee experienced the long, slow deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. Gradually, the funny talented, gifted lady we all knew and loved as wife, mother, sister, and friend faded away �" and during her time of decline we were all grateful for the loving, thoughtful and tender ministrations provided by the caregivers at the Groves Health Center. She leaves her devoted husband Otto, two sons, Robert C. and wife Chris, James H., grandson Jeffrey, brother Wallace B. Smith and wife Anne, sister-in-law Ruth Harold and husband Lane, and several nieces and nephews. Private graveside services will be held at Mound Grove Cemetery. A memorial service honoring Rosalee will be held at Stone Church, 1012 W. Lexington, Independence, Missouri, at 10:0 am on Saturday, July 14, 2007. Memorial contributions may be made to The Groves Endowment Fund, or to the Groves Community Hospice, 1515 W. White Oak, Independence, Missouri, 64050. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.speakschapel.com. (Arr: Speaks Suburban Chapel)