Longtime governor's mansion cook dies at 96

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Aug 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM MDT

Story Updated: Aug 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM MDT

HELENA - Elsie Jones, who was the cook at the Governor's Mansion for 44 years, has died. She was 96.

Retz Funeral Home said Jones died Friday of natural causes. Jones' career at the governor's mansion began in 1948 when a friend introduced her to Gov. John Bonner. She worked for seven other governors: J. Hugo Aronson, Donald Nutter, Tim Babcock, Forrest Anderson, Thomas Judge, Ted Schwinden and Stan Stephens. Elsie became very close to the families of the governors. When Jones retired, Stephens proclaimed Dec. 17, 1992 as Elsie Jones Day.

In 1995, her life story, "Elsie, Forty Four Years at the Mansion with Eight Montana Governors," by Kay Harden Hansen, was released. The book included many of Jones' favorite recipes.

Jones is survived by her son, Bill, of Kent, Wash. Another son, Dick, preceded her in death.

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