1937 - 2024
OBITUARY
Elsie Marion Grossmann passed into God’s hands on Sunday, August 11, 2024. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of thirty years, Dieter, on February 2, 1991. Elsie is survived by her three children-Katherine Olsen (Peter), Peter and Christopher (Elena). She was most proud of her title of “Oma” to her ten grandchildren-Elisabeth, Caroline, Alexandra and William Olsen; Dieter, Greta, Kiefer and Gunnar Grossmann; and Christopher and Victoria Grossmann. Elsie was the only child of Karl and Frieda Bachmann. She grew up in Astoria and graduated from Pratt Institute with a Bachelor of Science. She began her career as a home economist/food stylist with Compton Advertising, now a part of Saatchi and Saatchi. Elsie was an extremely gifted baker and made cakes for the Duncan Hines brand. Her “beauty” cakes were often featured in Ladies Home Journal and on television. As her children got older, she decided to take a job that would allow her to be home during the summer so she began managing food services at various parochial schools in Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. As her responsibilities grew and she handled more schools, she never liked to drive to unfamiliar locations so her beloved Dieter would always take her on a test drive the Sunday before she began working at a new school. Summers were Elsie’s favorite time because the entire family would spend three weeks in July at the German Alps Festival at Hunter Mountain. Elsie sold Hummel and Goebel figurines in the General’s Hall while Dieter cooked bratwurst in the food tent and sang the National Anthem every day. Elsie was very active in the Girl Scouts for many years and was an enthusiastic Brownie and a Junior leader. She continued to keep in touch with her scouting friends long after her Scouting days ended. While at Navin Brothers, she was able to transition to working as a Paraprofessional for the New York City Board of Education. This was by far Elsie’s favorite job. She worked with gifted kindergarten and first graders for many years and made many friends along the way-including school colleagues and parents of children in her care. She always said that her job as a Paraprofessional was her life line after Dieter passed in 1991. Elsie finally retired at 75 and became an active participant in the SNAP Senior program in Queens Village. She served meals to participants and helped to run the program’s thrift shop. Even after she stopped attending due to COVID, she still spoke often with her SNAP case manager and other SNAP friends. Elsie was an intelligent, hard working and strong woman who will be sorely missed by those whose lives she touched.
VISITATION
Thursday, August 15
2:00 - 4:00 PM & 7:00 - 9:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, August 16
11:30 AM
Chapel of the Redeemer Lutheran
220-16 Union Turnpike, Hollis Hills, NY
INTERMENT
Flushing Cemetery
163-06 46th Avenue, Flushing, NY