Our Resident Spotlight Shines on Elsa Wurtz!

Before the days of automobiles and radio, but after the invention of the wheel, Elsa was born in Philadelphia to German-American parents.  They always spoke German at home. In high school, Elsa didn't know what she wanted to do with her life, but the other kids got her to do their art homework for them, and she discovered she had talent.  At graduation she won a scholarship to Moore College of Art, where for four years she majored in design.  While there, she won a prize from a textile design firm, which later gave her a position designing drapery and upholstery fabrics.

Textile design become a bit tedious after a few years, so when a friend who worked for a gift wrap company in New York City told her about an opening there, she started working for Norcross. 

Elsa loved having an apartment of her own in that exciting city.  There she learned to love opera after finding that she could buy a standing-room-only ticket for $1.

When the War came along, her brother was working for an airplane manufacturer outside of Philadelphia.  Her brother's boss said he would hire Elsa if she could read blueprints.  So, she moved to Philadelphia, studied blueprint reading, and began doing graphic illustration of airplane parts.

Elsa became a member of an art club, where she met her Prince Charming the day after he came home from the War.  She nabbed this Captain before he knew what hit him.  Chuck planned to get his PhD in Biology at UC Berkeley, but quickly changed his plans to include Elsa and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.

Elsa loved to try new recipes on her husband. She became a gourmet cook and even won a prize for her cinnamon buns (That's "sticky rolls" to Midwesterners).

Elsa had begun studying voice and was invited to audition for the chorus of the two opera companies in Philadelphia. Her audition was a success and she sang mezzo-soprano for 30 years.  There was a lot of music to learn, but costumes, acting, make-up, and a paycheck made it agreeable.  The principle soloists were world-famous singers, and Pavarotti made his American debut with Elsa on stage.

Chuck and Elsa had 33 years of wedded bliss and did not add to the population explosion.  In 2008, Elsa moved to Garden Villas, where she is often greeted with a big hug - especially if Jeannene is at the desk.  It was very hard for Elsa to leave her Philadelphia nieces and nephews, but fortunately her brother and his wife, three daughters, granddaughter, and great-grandson live in St. Louis are a lot of fun.