Elsie West

Elsie Arlene West, 76, of Osburn, ID, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at her home in Osburn. Elsie was born on December 11, 1943 in Carthage, SD to Tom and Irene Walton. Elsie was the first twin born of identical twins her sister, Ellen, made her grand appearance a half hour after Elsie’s birth. Elsie weighed 5 pounds and 1 ounce, while Ellen weighed 5 pounds. It’s of interest to know that the twins were born on their grandmother’s kitchen table.

Elsie and Ellen were extremely close mentally and physically. Their mom, Irene, always said they were one mind, body, and soul. When you found one twin, you would always find the other. Elsie was Ellen’s protector and Ellen was Elsie’s ray of sunshine. Always best friends, they each used to say the other twin was God’s greatest gift to each other.

Elsie and Ellen both did lots of sewing, making clothes and quilts. Ellen made four quilts of valor and presented them to the Osburn VFW. Elsie was a member of St. Vincent de Paul for over 30 years as well.

In December of 1976, Elsie went to work at Con Silver Mine in Osburn. Elsie worked 40 days, 30 of those days were working from 12 to 16 hours. Elsie snow plowed the incoming road so the miners could make it in to work. In April 1977, Elsie went to work at Star Mine in Burke. She had many duties at the mine, including grizzly man, conveyor built operator, underground motor operator. She hauled out many injured miners during her time there. She was laid off in 1982 due to the mine closing. After the closure, she went to work underground at Star Mine under Bill Anderson and then at Sunshine Mine for over nine years until its closure. Elsie was always glad to have had the opportunity to work underground. And despite many setbacks including broken bones and ribs, she always enjoyed the mines.

Later, Elsie went on to be a flagger on the Thompson Pass project and often said she felt safer underground in the mines than flagging. She was almost run over by people not paying attention to the warning signs. Together, Elsie and Ellen also worked as waitresses and in-home healthcare providers.

Elsie enjoyed spending time with her family and her three sons, taking them fishing out by East Shoshone Park. She greatly enjoyed all the camping and fishing trips with family and friends. Elsie and Ellen always had large dinners for holidays and always invited anyone that wanted to enjoy good food and good company. At the end of Ellen’s life, Elsie took care of her as Ellen had developed ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Elsie is preceded in death by her beloved Ellen, parents, sisters. She is survived by her three sons, Beldon Landsidel, Scott Don Compton, and Raymond O’Don Compton; a daughter in-law, Pam Compton; several nieces and nephews, and lots of best friends.

At Elsie’s request, no services will be held and cremation will take place. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg is assisting the family with arrangements.