ELAINE C. CARLSON

 Elaine (Geik) Carlson went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

 Services were held on Wednesday, June 5 at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma. A private burial followed at North Shore Memory Gardens. Donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to Calvary Bible Church in Benton Harbor or Bibles International in Grand Rapids. Those wishing to leave a message or share a memory with the family online may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.

 Elaine was born July 28, 1930 in Coloma to William and Althea (Pearl) Geik. At the age of 14, she accepted the Lord as her Savior and became active in the Watervliet Bible Center. After graduation from Coloma High School, she earned a full scholarship to, what was then, Western Michigan College where she obtained her teaching certificate in Rural Education and then began to fulfill her lifelong passion for teaching. Elaine taught in many area rural schools and ended her teaching career at Coloma Elementary. She especially loved teaching first grade where she was a master at getting children excited about learning to read. Through the years she also taught many Ladies Bible Studies and Sunday School classes.

 Elaine married her husband Russell on June 14, 1952. They were married for nearly 65 years until his death in 2017. In addition to her beloved husband, Elaine was preceded in death by a son, Donald and three brothers, Donald, Lyle and Kenneth.

 Elaine is survived by two children, Joel (Rebecca) Carlson of Jenison and Lori Carlson of Coloma, and a daughter-in-law Rebecca Carlson of Plainfield, IN. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Brittany (Spencer) Riva, Tyler (Brooke) Carlson, Rachel (Jon) Fitrzyk and Sarah (‘Bug”) Kiefer, as well as, seven great-grandchildren and an eighth on the way.

 Elaine loved Russ and her children, was so proud of her grandchildren, and adored her great-grandchildren. She also loved her birds and flowers, but above all she loved the Lord and lived to honor Him.