Elsa I. Cline passed away at home in Eureka on March 8, 2025 at the age of 84. She was born in Kalajoki, Finland in 1941 and immigrated to the United States with her family in 1949. Elsa and her family called Eureka home for all of her adult years. This is where she met and fell in love with Dennis Cline. This year they would have been married 57 years. They were blessed with three children and have lived a life full of family and good memories.

Elsa worked for Humboldt County Social Services for 21 years before retiring at age 70. She was an active member of Cutten Community Church for many years before becoming ill. She was also an active member of the local Finn Club and celebrated her Finnish Heritage and would often find her in an apron serving rice pudding during the Scandinavian festival.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, Johan Henrikki Lankila and Vilhelmina Tavasti Lankila. Her brothers Pentti and Martti and his wife Saara of Finland. Sister Tyyne M. Pittman and her husband Stanley Pittman. Beloved mother and father-in-law Homer and Dorothy Cline and grandchild Samantha M. Prosser and Samanthas father Jerry Prosser.

She is survived by her husband Dennis G. Cline. Daughter Deborah Kindley and her husband Tim of Fortuna. Daughter Jennifer Cline. Son Jeffrey Cline both of Eureka, Her grandchildren Vanessa and Erik Masad of Oregon, Lynda and Eddy Noggle and Josh Jackson of Eureka. Brandon Brown. Great grandchildren Logan Kindley, Logan Masad, Conner Noggle and Aaron Noggle. Brother, Jack and his wife Esperanza of Vacaville and their children and grandchildren. Brother Ben & Jeannie Lankila of McKinleyville and their children and grandchildren. Younger sister Helen and Jim Johnson of Idaho and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her cousins, Vaino Lankila and his wife Sirpa and children in Finland, Hilja Davis and her family in Oregon.

Elsa lived a simple but full life. She never met someone she didn’t like and had a kind word for everyone. She was ill for five years as her dementia continued to progress. It was hard to see her become such a shadow of herself. This is a terrible disease and one we would not wish on anyone. It strips you of the person you once were and the memories you shared and leaves you a shell of who you were. Please remember her as she was full of life and love. She would like us to remind everyone to live life to the fullest, make memories and be kind. In lieu of flowers make donations to your favorite local charities or Food for People.

Funeral services handled by Sanders Funeral Home. A chapel service will be held at Ocean View Cemetery on Friday, March 14th at 3 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Elsa Cline’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.