Elsa K. Davis

Elsa Louise Killingstad Davis, aged 93, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 3, 2018 at Methodist West Hospital in Houston, Texas. She was born August 2, 1925 in Baltimore, Maryland to Ralph & Marie Killingstad. She attended Brownsville High School and Brownsville Junior College in Brownsville, Texas, as well as Ward-Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee where she studied art. Elsa was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Brownsville, Texas and sang in the church choir, often as a soloist. She was an avid traveler, loved to paint, garden and feed the birds. She took joy in spending time with her family and friends, all of whom she dearly loved.

She is preceded in death by her father, Ralph Killingstad, her Mother, Marie Killingstad, her Sister, Mathilde Killingstad, and her husband, Charles Davis. She is survived by her four children, Elsa Marie Sunde, Katherine Oliveira, Erik Sunde (Bindu Jose), and Brita Sunde, of Houston, Texas; her step-children, William Davis (Lynda) of Brownsville, Texas and Linda Haden of Pflugerville, Texas; her grandchildren, Adrienne Oliveira, Maria Delgado, Rene Oliveira, Jr. (Heidy), and Samara Sunde; her step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Davis (Julian Altschul), Amanda Pak (Han), Nathan Davis (Laura), Rita Haden, Tony Haden (Kristin), and Vega Shah; her great-grandchild, Elanor Oliveira; and numerous step great-grandchildren. She has many relatives in Norway, where she spent 13 years raising her children before returning to Brownsville, Texas in 1964, as well as several relatives in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date with interment in Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the organizations she was most passionate about, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Elsa had a great faith. She was the strength that held us together, frequently saying “this too shall pass.” She lived a long and full life, loved by us all and will be dearly missed.