Elaine Priest

Elaine May Priest age 92, of St. Louis, MI, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Schnepp Health Care Center, St. Louis, MI.

Funeral Services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Alma, MI, on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 1:00 P.M., with Pastor John Eich officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, MI. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the church.

Elaine was born in Saginaw, MI on December 28, 1926, the daughter of Johann and Ottilia (Balko) Ulmer. She graduated from Birch Run High School.  Elaine married Melvin Priest on April 12, 1947; he passed away on July 15, 1999.

Elaine drove bus for St. Louis Public Schools.  She was a volunteer with Hospice and received a Volunteer of the Year Award. Elaine was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and of the Concordia Aide Society.

She loved sewing, cross stitch, yard work and was known for her homemade pies. Elaine enjoyed going out to eat with her church breakfast club and Thursday coffee with her bus driver friends. Elaine enjoyed talking to and visiting her sister Marian. She loved spending time with her family and her great grandchildren brought great joy to her life. Elaine instilled a strong work ethic in her children. Elaine's children and grandchildren knew their friends were always welcome in her home. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by daughters: Mary Kuenn of St. Louis, MI; Linda Priest-Oberling of Crested Butte, CO; Toni Priest of Grand Rapids, MI; granddaughters: Kathryn Barnes of St. Louis, MI; Elizabeth and Trevor Mills of Cadillac, MI; 2 great-grandchildren Ivy and Samuel Mills; sister Marian Matzke of Birch Run, MI; and many nieces and nephew.  Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, granddaughter Kristina Breidinger, sister Lucille Bamberg, 3 brothers: Arthur, Edward and Eldon Ulmer, and nephew Richard Ulmer.

Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Gratiot County Hospice. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI.