Elsa Lynn Escalante

Elsa Lynn Escalante, 51, passed away on November 24, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her family.  She was  born  to  Olegario and Dora Reyes on March 5, 1969, and was a lifelong resident of Walla Walla.
She married Manuel Escalante in 1991 and made their home in Walla Walla. Together they raised two children, Rosa Angelica Escalante and Aime Escalante. Elsa spent her time doing everything for her children, from taking them to soccer games and dance recitals and other school activities. She was their number one cheerleader and took great pride in the young women that they have become.
Elsa graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1987 and went on to pursue her education and received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Whitman College in 1991. She took pride in her studies and would spend countless hours working on keeping her grades up in college as well as high school.
Elsa went on to serve the community of Walla Walla in various capacities, with the majority of that time working for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services as a Social Worker. She was passionate about affecting the most positive change in people and seeing them succeed. She also volunteered at the Walla Walla YWCA and then, later on, went on to serve on Board of Directors. In her spare time, she enjoyed going to Jazzercise, played soccer, shopping, and spending time with family. She also enjoyed DIY projects around the house, watching HGTV, and reading.
Elsa is survived by her father, Olegario Reyes; her grandfather, Jose Antonio Castilleja; her husband, Manuel Escalante; daughter and son-in-law, Rosa Angelica and Angel Niebla of Walla Walla; daughter Aime Escalante of Walla Walla; brother and sister-in-law Adrian Reyes and Eileen Duenas-Reyes, and their two sons Lorenzo and Mateo of Spokane; numerous nieces and nephews, and her two dogs, Tequila and Minnie.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Dora Castilleja Reyes; grandmother, Feliciana Castilleja; and sister, Crisi Reyes.
Viewing and visitation will be held at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Funeral and burial services will be private due to COVID-19 mandates.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church, the YWCA, or other organizations of the donor’s choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.