Elsie Chavez

Elsie Chavez, 70, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at her home, with her cherished family at her side. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 12, 2023, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff with Fr. Joseph Thambi as celebrant. Viewing will be held one hour prior to service time. Cremation will follow the service. Memorials may be made in care of the family and will be designated later. The service will be livestreamed and recorded to Elsie’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Elsie was born May 18, 1953, in Harlingen, Texas to Francisco E. and Aurora (Garcia) Amaya. The family moved to Nebraska in 1962. Elsie attended Roosevelt Elementary but quit school in Scottsbluff her eighth-grade year, to help her parents labor in the fields.

However, that was not where Elsie’s education ended. She was a go-getter, and strong-minded, qualities which led her to achieve her GED and begin college at WNCC where she received an associate degree. Elsie advanced to Chadron State College and earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Driven to settle for nothing less than the top, Elsie later enrolled into Michigan State University. It was there that she secured a master’s degree in public administration and began law school. She worked at the Michigan State Capitol as a legal assistant while attending school in Lansing, and soon graduated with a juris doctorate degree. Elsie was extremely passionate about the legal system and an expert in many areas of law. She worked at the Scotts Bluff County Courthouse for nearly sixteen years before moving to Michigan in 2002, eventually returning to Nebraska in 2018. She then decided to take classes to become a certified nursing assistant and started her final job at Helping Hands as an in-home caregiver.

Elsie married John Chavez in 1969 and to this union three children were born: Johnny, Rhonda, and Yvette. She had an entrepreneur character, leading her and John to successfully own and operate the batting cages in Gering for several years. Elsie really enjoyed the kids and company she met while working at the cages.

She cheerfully listened to an assortment of music and shared her favorites with family and friends. Family was the most valuable part of her life. She loved her kids and grandchildren very much.

Survivors include her husband, John Chavez; children, Johnny A. Chavez, Rhonda Chavez, and Yvette Chavez (Nathan McBurnett); special niece who Elsie raised like a daughter, Melissa (Ralph) Moreno; grandchildren, Johnny A. Chavez III (Jessica Swartz), Justin D. Chavez, Nathaniel Q. Salazar, Alyssa S. Chavez, Noah Moreno, and Cristian Moreno; siblings, Josie Garza, Francisco (Toni) Amaya, George (Jean) Amaya, Maria (Gene) Naye, Norma (Jesse) Hernandez, Flora (Roger) Campos, and Armando (Sondra) Amaya; former son-in-law, Alberto V. Salazar; numerous nieces and nephews; along with several extended family members.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Francisco and Aurora; brothers, Paul, Emilio, Eddie, and Joe; and sister, Mary Jane.