Dulcia Erlene Elam was born on November 3, 1925, to Earl Bradly Norberg and Martha Hawthorne Norberg in Shoshone, Idaho. Erlene passed away on April 21, 2024, in her sleep in her home of 70 years in Livingston, California.
At an early age, Earl and Martha moved to Ashland, Oregon. There, along with her older brother Louis, Erlene lived until graduating from high school. One of her fondest memories of that time was climbing into the hay loft with a quilt and a good book to read. In junior high, Erlene met the love of her life, Billy Elam.
After high school graduation in 1943, Erlene moved to San Francisco to live with her brother Louis and work in the shipyards building battleships.
In 1946, Erlene married William “Bill” John Elam. They lived in San Jose while Bill attended San Jose State earning his teaching credential. In 1948, Bill accepted a position teaching and coaching at Livingston High School. They planned to stay just a few years but fell in love with the people of Livingston. Erlene was busy being a room mother and involved with the PTA, even becoming president several years, during the time her children were in school, Julie was born April of1950, and Billy was born April of 1954.
Erlene’s hobbies were playing bridge, reading, quilting, camping and bird watching. She felt it was important to give of oneself. Close to her heart: Friends of the Livingston Library, the Livingston Historical Museum, and the Merced County Juvenile Justice Commission.
Five years before Bill retired in 1982 Erlene was a teacher’s aide and substitute school librarian. After Bill’s retirement, they traveled following the fish. Bill with a rod and Erline with a book. After Bill’s death in 1991 Erlene remained in her home surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors.
Erlene is survived by her daughter Julie Benedict, grandsons James and Will Benedict, great granddaughter Marsali Benedict, daughter-in-law Margaret Elam, grandson John William Elam, and niece Eilene Norberg.
Erlene was preceded in death by husband William John Elam, Brother Louis Norberg, and son William Louis Elam.
The family wishes to thank Jaylynn Koehn and the ladies of the Koehn Home Care for their love while making Erlene’s last years so comfortable. If you would like to donate in Erlene’s memory, please consider:
Friends of the Livingston Library, 1212 Main St., Livingston, CA 95334
Or
Livingston Historical Museum Foundation, PO Box 104, Livingston, California 95334
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