Elna Green

— Elna "Shorty" M. Green

In the loving presence of her family, Eina "Shorty" Green departed very

suddenly from this life on November 22, 2018 from a ruptured aneurism. She was born to Cecil R. Mincer and Annis Harnden on March the 8th, 1932 in Newton, Iowa into great hardship. When Shorty was seven, her mother left the family and Shorty was sent to live at the Annie Whittenmeyer orphanage in Davenport, IA. Growing up, she was sent from the orphanage to work for families who needed someone to cook and clean.

When Shorty came of age and gained her independence, she embarked on a lifetime of adventure, generosity and caring for others with the indomitable, kind spirit that would come to characterize her life. In early adulthood, Shorty was a nurse's aide in Omaha and then Kearney, Nebraska where she worked at the state tuberculosis hospital. She also worked for Baldwin Manufacturing for more than 25 years.

It was in Kearney where Shorty met Morris Green, a tall, handsome WWII veteran with a sparkling wit, kind eyes and a booming baritone voice quick to song. They fell immediately in love and married a short three months later at the First Methodist Church. With 11 years between them, Morris standing 6 foot tall and Shorty at 4 feet, 8 1/2 inches, they were an unforgettable couple. Morris's devotion to Shorty was complete, and together they built a life and home warmed by laughter and love. Morris and Shorty traveled all over the US to destinations where Shorty could be in her beloved mountains. They spoke frequently of moving to the West, but Morris's illness meant adjustments to their retirement dreams.

After Morris passed in 1995, Shorty continued her adventures and travel, going with groups and family to destinations around the country. Her love of camping continued as well, going frequently with her daughter and grand children. Facing new health challenges, in 2001 Shorty shared a home with her daughter Wanda and family. In 2013, Shorty realized her life-long dream of living in a log cabin in the mountains by a lake when she moved to McGregor Lake, Montana. She loved luncheons with the friends she made by the lake as well as her many trips to Glacier National Park, Canada, and the surrounding areas.

Shorty is survived by her daughter Wanda Thein with husband Michael of McGregor Lake, Montana, daughter Margaret Gould with husband Dennis of Kearney, Nebraska, granddaughters Amanda Fritsch, Tabitha Thein, grandsons Donald and Daniel Gould, as well as many great, and great-great grandchildren. Her enduring kindness, virtue and love will be forever missed.