Elinor J. Christianson's Obituary
Elinor Meyers Christianson, 103, of 2280 Arbor, Norton Shores, passed away December 22, 2014, at the Hume Home in Muskegon, Michigan. She was born in Montague, Michigan, on October 17, 1911, and was the only child of the late Dr. George Smith and his wife, Ellen Schureman. In 1929, she graduated from Montague High School, where she was the first female cheerleader and cellist. Elinor looked forward to attending the annual high school reunions which she was able to do through her 99th birthday. Elinor dated her future husband, Erling Meyers,of Muskegon for eight years while attending Western Michigan University as a part-time student. She would not get married until she had received her teaching degree from Western Michigan University. Both events took place within one week of each other in 1941. Together they raised three daughters, Janet, Mary and Linnea in Muskegon. She taught elementary school in various Michigan cities, retiring from the Muskegon Public School System in 1975 after 23 years of service. After retirement, Elinor and Erling wintered in southern Texas where they learned to love square dancing until his passing in 1986. She met her second husband, Albert Christianson, of Ludington, MI. When they married in 1987, Elinor welcomed Al’s three children into her heart with open arms. Elinor was a spirited wife, mother, and grandmother. An active and caring member of her community, Elinor touched the lives of everyone she met and worked with. She was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and its oldest member at the time of her death. She also actively participated in Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and attended as many of their events as possible. Most of all Elinor enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, playing Bridge, knitting, and reading. She especially looked forward to family backgammon tournaments. Elinor moved into the Hume Home in Muskegon at the age of 101, where she resided until the time of her death. Elinor was pre-deceased by her grandson, Jeffrey Breu, and is survived by three daughters: Janet Meyers of Muskegon, Mary Breu and her husband Jerry, of Anderson; SC; Linnea Fraser and her husband Mark of Laconia, NH; and three stepchildren: Carol Lomonaco and Sister Lynne Hansen, both of Grand Rapids, MI; and David Hansen and his wife Letty of Montgomery, Alabama; and many step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Most of all, Elinor loved her grandchildren: Heather Breu LeCroy and her husband Tony of Anderson, SC; Eric Fraser and his wife Katie of Brooklyn, NY; and Colleen Fraser of Washington, D.C., and was excited to become a great-grandmother in January 2015. Please join us as we celebrate her wonderful life and the privilege of having known and loved her. A memorial service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Muskegon, MI, in the spring of 2015. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1132 W. Southern Avenue, Muskegon, Michigan 49441; Palmetto Conservation Foundation, 722 King Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29205, in memory of Jeffrey Breu; Hospice of Michigan; the Hume Home, or the charity of one’s choice. Share memories with the family online at www.sytsemafh.com. Arrangement by The Walburn Chapel, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. (231) 759-8565.
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