Grace Anne (Ensign) Green

     Grace Anne Green, age 93, of Elsie, passed away Sunday, August 13th, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to all.

     Grace was born May 15, 1930, to Eugene and Anna (Mangelman) Ensign. She grew up on a small farm in Bannister, Michigan, and the youngest of 5 children. Grace graduated from Elsie High School in 1948, and attended Central Michigan University for two years to become a teacher. On November 19, 1950, Grace married Duane Green of Elsie at the Bannister United Methodist Church. She taught in a one-room school for a year before settling into family life raising 3 children on the family farm in Elsie.

     Grace was a member of the Elsie United Methodist Church and was active in the local United Methodist Women and Literary Club. Grace loved cows.  She traveled with Duane to National Holstein Conventions and a show, collected cows and dairy antiques from all over the country, was an avid dairy promoter, and loved waving to folks from her cow car in the Elsie Dairy Festival parade. Grace was kind, generous, and always ready for fun. Grace cherished her friends deeply, and loved them well. Grace made it her mission to deliver countless Upper Room devotionals, and made sure everyone around her had a FROG, reminding them to Forever Rely on God.  

     Many dear friends have been blessed by a card from Grace covered in cow stamps or through regular phone calls to check in and say hello. No one felt Grace’s love more than her family. She never missed a chance to cheer on her kids and grandkids. Grace could be found on the sidelines or in the audience of every sporting event, performance, or animal show.  She loved having her grandkids over to play cards, swim in the pool, eat treats, or to steal them away for special trips.  She loved family holiday celebrations, decorating her home inside and out, especially for Christmas. Grace enjoyed vacationing and sightseeing with her family, sharing with them her favorite places, always picking up rocks, and taking pictures of beautiful flowers along the way. In later years, Grace and Duane spent winters on Marco Island, forming friendships on the beach, collecting sand dollars, and watching sunsets over the water.

    Grace is survived by her son Charlie (Susie) Green of Elsie, MI; daughter Karen Batora of Elsie, MI; grandchildren: Emily (Mike) Klingbeil of Elsie, MI; William (Maureen Nagy) Green of Grand Ledge, MI; Sadie Green of Lansing, MI; Michael (Kourtney) Batora of Elsie, MI; Kristine (Ben) Hoch of Elsie, MI; and Leah Batora of Chicago, IL;. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Velmar Green, and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Duane, her son Bryon Green, and three sisters: Mary Zimmerman, Marjorie Glowney, and Lillian Terrell; one brother Albert “Corky” Ensign, and sister-in-law Margaret Green.

     Funeral Services will be held at the Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, August 18, 2023, with Pastor Ava Euper officiating. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Elsie, MI. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, MI.

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elsie United Methodist Church, Elsie Baby Pantry, or the Elsie Public Library.  Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie, Michigan.