Obituary of Elsie Olivia Svaasand
Elsie Olivia Svaasand, born June 10, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, passed away leaving behind a legacy of creativity, kindness, and deep devotion to family and friends. She was the beloved daughter of the late Eric and Wilhelmina (Sterner) Hagstrom and sister to the late Bill “Sonny” Hagstrom. Elsie is survived by her daughter Ingrid Sceusi.
Elsie’s love for art shaped her life. Her remarkable talent earned her a full scholarship to the prestigious Art, Architecture and Engineering school, The Cooper Union in New York City. Elsie excelled in many artistic mediums throughout her life, including oil painting, pastels, etching, sculpture, illustration, fashion illustration and graphic design.
Elsie was a long-time member of the Morris County Art Association and over the years spent many joyous times creating and meeting with friends at the Print Making Council and, a painting workshop in Summit, New Jersey. Elsie also created illustrations for her local community groups and Lutheran church as a volunteer.
Elsie met her husband Lars Svaasand at a dance at the Norwegian Seamen’s Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Just before they were married, Lars was drafted into the US army during the Korean War. They moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico near the army base at Fort Bliss, Texas. While there their daughter Ingrid was born. Elsie found work with the New Mexico Cooperative Extension (4H). Time spent in New Mexico and Texas instilled in the couple a lifelong love for the American West.
In 1969, Elsie and her husband, Lars, founded Lars & Associates Advertising. Elsie took great pride in designing the company’s horse logo based on a bronze Viking artifact from Veggerslev, Jutland, Denmark. She went on to provide illustrations and graphic design for clients including EDO Aire, ACE Combs and Bloomfield College. Her Christmas cards were a favorite year after year. Exchanging piano lessons for her daughter Ingrid, Elsie designed Christmas cards for local piano teacher Alfred Gerry Dreisbach of Indian Lake.
Elsie was a prolific reader and letter writer, her favorite author being Agatha Christie. Sending greeting cards she had collected, she kept in contact with family and friends in the US, Sweden and Norway. She was very fond of watching Turner Classics movies as well! Elsie was a member of Sons of Norway B.U.L./Norbu Lodge No. 3-427. Elsie enjoyed many visits to the cabin during the 1940s and continued membership throughout her life.
Her joy grew as she gained a son in law and became a grandmother and, later a great grandmother, roles she cherished deeply. Beyond her art and family, Elsie found happiness in simple pleasures. She loved her rescue dogs and cats, flowers and, most of all, her friends. She formed many lasting friendships over the years, especially during her time in Key West, Florida, where she and Lars spent their winters. There, Elsie became part of a vibrant artistic community and exhibited her work at the Key West Art Center.
Elsie Olivia Svaasand will be remembered for her artistic spirit, her warmth, and the many lives she touched through her creativity and friendship. Her legacy lives on in her family, her art, and the memories shared by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
If you would like to continue her memory in your own way, please consider making a charitable contribution to the 11th Hour Rescue; to continue to rescue dogs and cats in need as Elsie had. Memorial Donations can be made via this link.
Hours of memorial visitation for Elsie will be held on Saturday, January 24, from 1 to 3 PM. Please join us in celebrating Elsie’s life, and please leave a condolence, share a memory, or light a candle to continue to let Elsie’s light shine!
