Obituaries
Leola Dora Lundstrum
Leola Dora Lundstrum, formerly of Nashville, passed away after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s on June 2, 2017 at Sugarbush House in Flint. Leola was born on April 5, 1924 to Sherman Leroy Tidd and Delilah Bell Kelley in Grand Ledge. Leola finished the 10th grade, and then graduated from the Melba Academy of Beauty Culture, in Lansing. She worked as a beautician in Lansing near the Capitol, where she would give manicures to politicians and hairstyles to their wives.
She married the love of her life, Gerald Raymond Lundstrum on September 9, 1944 at the People’s Church in East Lansing. Leola was a dedicated mother and farm wife, supporting her husband in his agricultural endeavors, including driving tractor herself. She was a maple syrup producer with her husband, and made many dishes with maple syrup, including pie, popcorn balls, and spring lettuce topped with maple syrup and brown sugar.
She loved hummingbirds and flowers, especially gladiolus, rhododendrons, and peonies. She had an affinity for a particular shade of blue, and painted many things that color. She decorated extensively for Christmas and hand-made Christmas ornaments which she would give to friends and family.
Leola was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her two sisters, Leona Deyarmond and Mildred Root; brother, Sherman Valentine Tidd; and son in-law, Richard Graham.
She is survived by children, Clifford (Mary) Lundstrum and Vickie Graham; grandchildren, Russell (Jenni) Lundstrum, Autumn (Darren) Bagley, Cynthia (Ian) Vissers; and seven great-grandchildren, Brandon and Emily Lundstrum, Lonna and Orion Bagley, and Jack, Sam, and Ryan Vissers.
Leola was loved by members of her blended family, Jacqueline (David) Sandiford and Allison, Amanda and Molly Sandiford.
Memorial services will be held at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte on Friday, June 16 at 11 a.m. Coffee hour, to share memories of Leola will begin at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service at Eaton Area Senior Center.
The family wishes to make a special thanks to both Sugarbush House and Heart-to-Heart Hospice for their loving care of Leola.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Leola on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Minnie Belle Jenson (Yates)
Minnie Belle “Peggy” Jenson, 71, of Vermontville, died June 5, 2017 in Lansing. She was born in Porthsmouth, Ohio on January 18, 1946 to Drew and Violet (Sparks) Yates. She moved to this area in 1968, following her sister’s family, and began working at the Townhouse restaurant. Minnie was well known as a great waitress who took excellent care of her customers at Sharon’s Café and the Charlotte Country Club. She was a caring, loving person, very understanding and compassionate, while always working hard and setting an excellent example and giving great advice to her friends and family. Minnie was known for her great memory and the love for her children and grandson.
Minnie is survived by her son, Michael Payne; daughter, Melissa Jenson; son-in-law, Eric; and her grandson, Jericho, who was the apple of her eye; and very special friend, Barb Powers.
She was predeceased by her husband, Neil Jenson in 1986; significant other, Ivan Suntken in 2011; sisters, Helen Jordan and Linda Back; brothers, Lee Yates, Robert Yates, and Clifford (Tick) Yates; several nephews and a niece.
A celebration of Minnie’s life will be held on Sunday, June 11, at 3 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte, with Pastor Charles Jenson officiating. Visitation is prior to the service on Sunday, from 1 to 3 p.m. If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Minnie on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Connie Lou Owen
Connie Lou Owen, 75, of Charlotte, formerly of Olivet, passed away on Monday, June 5, 2017 at Sensations Memory Care in Charlotte. Connie was born November 4, 1941 in Charlotte, the daughter of Russell M. and Donnis L. (Gifford) Owen and was a lifelong area resident. She was a retired caregiver and babysitter for people in their own homes. She enjoyed listening to music, going for rides and loved all animals, especially cats.
Surviving are her brother, Marvin (Burdeena) Owen of Charlotte; sister, Nancy Lambert of Scottsdale, Ariz.; four nieces and one nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sally Jensen; and brothers-in-law, Wes Lambert and Robert Jensen.
Per Connie’s wishes, cremation has taken place. No services will be held. Private inurnment will take place in the Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may go to Sensations Memory Care of Charlotte or to the Tri-County Office on Aging.
Arrangements were made by Burkhead-Green Funeral Home of Charlotte. Online condolences may be made at burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Flora Mae Miller (Hart)
Flora Mae Miller, 69, of Vermontville, passed away June 1, 2017 at her home. She was born December 16, 1947 in Beloit, Wisc., the daughter of Clarence and Marcella (Purdy) Hart. Flora married the love of her life, Richard John Miller Jr., August 8, 1981 at The Rose Garden in Lansing.
After moving to Michigan, Flora pursued an Art Degree at LCC. Later she became an Assistant Art Professor at LCC. She also sold real estate for Westdale Better Homes and Garden until her auto accident in 1991. Flora loved her family, spending time with her children, and grandchildren. She enjoyed summer camping trips, fishing, gardening and loved to Polka Dance around the house with anyone she could get to dance with her. She loved to bird watch, her favorite birds being hummingbirds. Her favorite flowers were red roses.
She is survived by her husband, Richard John Miller Jr. of Vermontville; their daughter, JoElla (Michael) Zimmerman of Portland; her son, Anthony (Thomas “T.J” Thias) Morris of Lansing; daughter, MarCella Morris of Eaton Rapids; step-children, Salinda and Chris Miller; 12 grandchildren, Emily, Trevor, Ava, Owen, Kevin, Brian, Tyler, and Nathan (JoElla and Michael’s), Katie Jo, Christopher (Tracey), Alexa, Shiyanna (MarCella’s); six great-grandchildren, Destiney, Richard, Austin, Keagan, Isaiah, and Jayce; sister, Patricia Alice Henning of Beloit; and three nephews, Mark (Kris) Winchester, Charles (Jessi) Winchester, and Clarence “Trinity” (Diane) Winchester, all of Beloit.
She loved her dear granddogs, Daisy Mae, Annie, Maggie Mae, Roxy, Oak, Tila, LuLu, Squirt, Pearl, Sadie, and Army.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Dennis Hart; mother-in-law, Arlene O. Miller; and her caregiver for the past 26 years, Judy Harmon. A special thank you to her long time caregiver and special friend Joyce Ginder.
Funeral services were held Monday, June 5, 2017 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte.
If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kidney Foundation.
Memories of Flora can be shared with her family on her tribute page at PrayFuneral.com.
Phyllis Toncray (O'Mara)
Phyllis O’Mara Toncray of Eaton Rapids and Duck Lake passed away on February 1, 2017 in Florida at the age of 91. She was born in Eaton Rapids to Leo O’Mara and Pauline Woods O’Mara on August 21, 1925. Phyllis was a 1943 graduate of Eaton Rapids High School and also attended Albion College. In 1943 Phyllis married Richard Horner Toncray. They remained married for 68 years until Richard’s passing in 2012.
Phyllis was her family’s “energizer bunny.” She enjoyed waterskiing, all types of fishing, golf, boating with her husband along the Florida coast, playing games, traveling, reading, cruising, creating personalized greeting cards and posters, and participating in numerous civic and social organizations. She was a huge fan of anything Disney, and she enjoyed many vacations and day trips to Walt Disney World with all of her family. Phyllis was a member of Duck Lake Country Club for 60 years. She was active in the women’s association and she was also a multi-time women’s club champion. In her later years she continued participating with her friends for lunch, card games, and socializing at “the club.”
Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Mike O’Mara; sister-in-law, Sandy; and beloved daughter, Terry Toncray Becker.
She is survived by her son, Richard E. Toncray (Pamela); son-in-law, Charles T. Becker; grandchildren Richard Robert Toncray (Lisa), Lissa Toncray Marsolek (Chad), Brian Becker (Amber), Erica Becker; great-grandchildren, Richard Ryan Toncray, Alaina Toncray, Cole Marsolek, Kinsey Marsolek, Kenna Marsolek, Hayden Becker, Anna Becker, Audrey Becker, Elise Reaves; and niece, Lauri O’Mara Morris Lahr.
Phyllis was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. She was loved and she will be dearly missed by all.
The family of Phyllis cordially invites you to join in celebrating her life on June 17 at 2 p.m. at Duck Lake Country Club in Albion. We request you bring your fondest memories and stories of Phyllis. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so to the American Cancer Society or the First United Methodist Church of Eaton Rapids.