Elsie Kathryn (Herron) Perdiue, passed away on September 1, 2020 at the age of 105.
She was born, March 11, 1915, in Chicago, Illinois, and resided in Anderson, Indiana since 1972. Early on, as a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), Elsie believed she could be instrumental in improving her community through volunteer work. This belief led her to a lifetime of service and participation in community affairs, which included serving as a St. John's Hospice volunteer, a Contact-Help volunteer, and a member of the White River Development Commission, which developed the trails linking Shadyside and Edgewater Parks.
Elsie was a member of the YWCA Board of Directors, and hosted monthly Afternoon Musicales at the Anderson YWCA. In the early 1980's, she purchased the Big Four Railroad Station in downtown Anderson because she saw its potential both as a railroad museum and as a center for the performing arts. She gave station tours and talks, invited Lou Ann Young to teach ballet classes at the station, and hosted weekend recitals featuring local musicians.
Elsie was also active in the local chapter of AARP, serving as President, as a delegate to the Governor's Conference, and as an officer for the Area Six Council. In 1982, she competed in the AARP senior beauty competition and was named first runner-up.
Elsie's love of books led her to join the Friends of the Library, which she served as President, Co-Creator of the Used Book Shop, and Chairman of the Santa House and Shop. Her love of the arts also led her to serve as a volunteer at the Anderson Fine Arts Center and Art Works Shop.
Elsie was a member of the Invincible Sunday School class at Park Place Church of God, along with her husband, Paul Perdiue. Her lifelong love of gardening led her to join the Mounds Garden Club.
Seeking artistic and cultural enrichment led to Elsie's association with Town and Gown and Fellows and Sponsors at Anderson University, where she enjoyed attending concerts and recitals. Believing in the importance of bringing outstanding musicians to the campus and the community, she established the Perdiue Fund in 1997. This fund sponsored visiting musicians, who performed in the recital series at the School of Music, Theatre and Dance.
Surviving Elsie are her daughter, Joyce Klima of Las Vegas, Nevada; her son, George R. Klima of Pinneberg, Germany; her nieces, Denise Guyer of Chicago, Illinois and Aimee (Thomas) Huntsha of Lake Zurich, Illinois; and her special friends, Michele and Mark Murray.
Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Paul N. Perdiue; her son, Robert Charles Klima; her stepfather, George Herron; her mother, Magdalena Herron; her stepbrother, George Edward Herron; her half sister, Lona Guyer; and her nephew, Dwight Guyer.
Please consider a donation in her memory to the Elsie K. Perdiue Endowment Fund at Anderson University.
Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service handled the arrangements.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.