Faye Louise Elmer, 85, of John Day, died March 5 at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day. A memorial service was held on March 11 at John Day United Methodist Church.

Elmer was born May 1, 1930, in Portland, to Walter Guy Benson and Helen Angie (Poston) Benson. She attended Jefferson High School and, in 1951, graduated from the University of Portland College of Nursing.

In November 1951, she married Carl Elmer. They divorced in July 1990.

She was on the original nursing staff at Blue Mountain Hospital when the facility opened its doors in 1960. She worked there from December 1960 to September 1979. In later years there, she served as a head nurse and director of nursing.

After leaving the hospital, she worked for the Malheur National Forest as a clerk from 1982-1997. In the early 2000s until 2014, she was the secretary at John Day United Methodist Church.

She was an avid football fan; her favorite team was the Chicago Bears.

Survivors include her son, Dennis Elmer of Bend; daughter, Gwenn Roberts of Bend; grandson, Scott Elmer of Springfield; and granddaughter Rachael Leach of Beaverton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the John Day United Methodist Church through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.