Elsie E. Lumsden

Elsie E. Lumsden, 93, went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at MyMichigan Medical Center.

Elsie Esther Lumsden was born to George and Nina (McMillan) Lumsden in Long Rapids Township on September 5, 1929. 

She was a life-long member of Long Rapids First Congregational Church, a Sunday School teacher, and a regular attendee of Women’s Fellowship.  Her natural talent and love for music led to playing the organ for Sunday church, weddings, and funerals for 65 years, along with gracing choirs with her beautiful alto voice.  Elsie worked the farm with her dad and mom and upon their passing, took over operations of the farm, milking cows for many years and raising cattle thereafter.  She eventually sold the Centennial farm to her nephew, Gary Lumsden, and still remained an integral part of the family homestead.  In her retirement years, if you can call them retirement years, her and her sister, Nellie, worked many jobs together, including Werth Dry Cleaners and Maple Ridge Products (cutting boughs, making wreaths, and tying Christmas bows).  She enjoyed hunting (quite successfully), picking strawberries, quilting, crocheting, and making floral arrangements. 

While Elsie never married or had children, she loved her many nieces and nephews as if they were her own and was an exemplary role model to all of them. Her strong Christian faith was a light to everyone who shared her path.   In her last years, she chose to live at Hillman Haven, sharing her love with a new family.

She is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Linda (Ken) Keyes, Janice (Dale) Thomson, Harold (Jean) Lumsden, Gary (Cheryl) Lumsden, Mary (Tom) Atkinson, Tom (Grace) Lumsden, and Pam Madsen.  She also had 25 great nieces and nephews, 48 great great nieces and nephews, and 4 great-great-great nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, brother George (Relna) Lumsden, sister Nellie (Bert) Thomson, sister Mary (Nelson) Carr, brother Delbert (Annie) Lumsden, brother-in-law, George Flanders, nephew Howard (Gloria) Lumsden, niece Bonnie (Floyd) King, and nephew Pete Madsen.

Visitation will take place at Bannan Funeral Home on Thursday, May 4, 2023, from 2-8 pm, and will continue on Friday at the Long Rapids First Congregational Church from 10 am until time of funeral service at 11 am with Rev. Arnie Kirschner officiating.

Interment:  Long Rapids Cemetery

Memorials:  In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Long Rapids First Congregational Church, Hospice of Michigan, or Salvation Army.