LILLIAN F. ALTOM

 Lillian Floy Altom (Baushke) passed on to her eternal home in heaven on Friday, June 26, 2026.

 Born to Floyd and Lillian Baushke (Orlaske) of Riverside on Feb. 28, 1929, she was baptized into God’s family in April of 1929 and was confirmed in May of 1942. She was a long-time member of Faith Lutheran Church in Coloma and later at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sister Lakes.

 Lillian attended school at Hagar #6 in Riverside and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1946. She worked as a secretary at St. Joseph Elementary School for several years after graduating. Her love for baking and decorating cakes for family and friends led her to teach adult education classes at Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Watervliet and Coloma schools, sharing her talents with many students. In 1972, she began working at the Hilltop Store Bakery in St. Joseph decorating cakes, retiring in 1992. Many observed in amazement as she transformed an ordinary cake into a masterpiece of art behind the glass windows.

 In June of 1959 Lillian married her soulmate, William (Bill) Altom, and together, they raised their 11 children. She often reminisced that some of her favorite times were during snowstorms when everyone was housebound and her home was filled with laughter and love. They celebrated 65-plus years together before his passing in 2025.

 Bill and Lillian began collecting older glassware and pottery early in their marriage and they enjoyed many trips together in search of unique finds, including Lillian’s collection of Oriental dragons and satsuma pottery. They were active members of the local Depression Era Glass Club and eventually opened Touch of Glass store in Coloma.

 Lillian is survived by her sons Richard (Lynn) Winslow, Rob (Lowenda) Altom, Jeff (Stephanie) Altom, daughters Debra (Chuck) Terry, June Altom, son-in-law Wayne (Ruth) Neeley, daughter-in-law Nancy (Floyd) Winslow, 17 grandchildren and 42-plus great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband William Altom, brother Lester Baushke and his wife Lois, children Floyd Winslow, Ruth Neeley, Sharon Tunstill, Pauline Morris, Mary Lock and Steven Altom, her sons-in-law Donald Lock, Randall Morris and Chuck Terry.

 The family will receive friends and family in memory of Lillian at Redeemer Lutheran Church on Thursday, July 2 at 1 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 2 p.m. Family and friends are invited to stay for a luncheon immediately following the service at church. A private internment will take place at North Shore Memory Gardens.