Elizabeth Leona Lips was born on Friday June 20th 1919 in Riga Michigan to Caesar Joseph and Marie Sylvia Lips. She was one of four children, the others being Arthur Morris born in 1913, Leslie Joseph born in 1915 and Marcella Florine born in 1923. All of them have preceded her in death and she called herself the last of the Mohicans.
She was a first-generation American, as her folks came through Ellis Island from Belgium.
Her first job was baby-sitting and house cleaning for $1 a week. When she was 18 she also worked at Gilson Hardware Store in Blissfield, Michiganm and sold tools, plows and farm equipment. When she was 26 she worked at a factory in Adrian, Michigan, soldering helmets for World War II soldiers. She was also a seamstress and made jackets in Blissfield.
Growing up on a farm, her most hated chore was picking eggs and feeding the chickens because everything smelled. She never really liked her name and hated being called Lizzie so insisted on being called Elizabeth or Jason (only she knows why).
Even though she only made it through the 10th grade, she took a typing class and got a certificate in child caring. And she was a voracious reader who didn’t have to wear glasses until she was in her 80s but then gradually got macular degeneration.
Elizabeth was 25 when she met Daniel David Prisby at a dance hall on a Saturday night but at the time she was seeing other people so they were just friends until she was about 28. When asked what finally attracted her to him, she said she wanted a good-looking man who could dance, always have money and a job, that could fix things and would love her forever. They got married on July 12th, 1947, and had a big reception at the Breeze Inn at Ottawa Lake. She picked the right man. Their marriage lasted 51 years until Dan passed away in 1998. Their only child, daughter Lynnette Rae, was born December 7, 1949, in Philadelphia. Elizabeth hoped to travel the world while being a Captain’s wife, but after two years in North Carolina and two years in Pennsylvania they ended up moving to Solana Beach, California in 1952. Dan went off to fight the war and Elizabeth ended up with a 2-year-old, no friends, and the worst rainstorm year known to California at the time. Since Friday’s child is loving and giving, she soon made lifelong friends and never regretted moving from Michigan. The family moved to Norfolk, Virginia, for another two years in 1956 and then came back to California.
Elizabeth was an accomplished seamstress, oil painting artist and loved dancing, boogie boarding at the beach (until age 76!) and playing cards. And those that knew her knew about her love of hot sauce and that darn course ground black pepper.
She also loved fishing, camping, baking and gardening. She was very active in the PTA, St. James Academy Mother’s club and helping out at the church doing rummage sales, running the fudge booth and hobnobbing with others from the church, such as Luci and Desi Arnez and Jimmy Durante. She and Dan were members of the Good Sam’s Club and went camping and fishing and across the country many times in their motorhome. They made it to Massachusetts and all the way to British Columbia and all the continental US. Elizabeth always wanted to go to Hawaii and Alaska but time just didn’t allow it. She also loved going to Catalina Island where she and Dan celebrated their 25th anniversary.
Elizabeth had an amazing memory and maintained her sense of humor until the end. She always told her daughter that she just wanted to fall asleep and not wake up. She died at 11:10 pm March 22 of natural causes on her terms. And to those who knew her, she says TallyHo!
Her daughter Lynnette Bordeaux hosted a celebration of life event April 8, 2017 at Palomar Estates East Clubhouse from 1pm to 4pm. 650 Rancho Santa Fe Road San Marcos CA 92078.
In lieu of flowers (if you knew her you knew she was allergic) potted plants or a contribution to Silverado Hospice (silveradocare.com would be appreciated.
Please go to Tributes.com and look for Elizabeth Leona Lips Prisby in CA and add memories, photos and comments to her online tribute.
Month: April 2017
Wilbur Steih
RIGA – Wilbur Charles Steih, age 72 of Riga, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 03, 2017, at the Toledo Hospital, Toledo, Ohio. He was born May 9, 1944 in Adrian, Michigan to Ernest and Luella (Pieh) Steih. Wilbur was a 1963 graduate of Blissfield High School. On April 15, 1966 he married Carol Marks at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palmyra, Michigan. He was a cabinet maker and finisher for Weinlander Kitchen and Bath in Blissfield for 43 years. After his retirement he worked part time at Gilson’s Hardware in Blissfield. Wilbur was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a life member of the River Raisin Sportsman’s Club in Blissfield. He enjoyed archery, hunting, fishing, was an avid Detroit Tigers fan and spending time with his grandchildren.
Surviving Wilbur, besides his wife Carol of nearly 51 years are three children, Richard (Yvette) Steih of Jackson, MI, Cynthia (Kyle) Gonyer of Petersburg, MI and Jason (Caroline) Steih of Deerfield, MI and four grandchildren, Ethan, Mara, Madeline and Claire. He is preceded in death by his parents, and Uncle Charles Pieh and an Aunt Nadine Pieh.
Funeral services for Wilbur were held on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at 1 p.m. at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palmyra with the Rev. Gary Leking officiating. Burial will follow in Riga Cemetery. Visitation was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, from 2-8 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.
You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or TACA (Talk about curing Autism, MI Chapter). Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.
Tornado siren tests to sound April 20
Residents of Lenawee County should be aware that the county will be testing its tornado sirens at 5:55 p.m. Thursday, April 20. The annual tests are conducted to ensure that proper notification will be provided to residents in case of any emergency weather crisis.
For the state of Michigan, its official tornado season usually spans from mid-June to mid-July, however, tornadoes could appear in the state during April and May.
River Raisin floods over April 8 weekend
An inch of rain on already saturated ground Friday drained into the already swollen River Raisin adding to the water that overflowed the banks that was evident in both the Bachmayer Park and Ellis Playground on Saturday in Blissfield. Areas of the park were still submerged Monday afternoon.
By Saturday afternoon, Blissfield Chief of Police Dale Greenleaf was on patrol in the village limits, at times parking at the entrance of Ellis Park off
U.S. 223, blocking off any possible entrance to the park, which was also roped off with caution tape due the high waters creeping up the park’s entrance. Traffic cones and orange pylons on the park’s driving lane were nearly submerged in water down near the Ellis Park softball fields that same afternoon. This was the second straight week that heavy and persistent rainfall caused the river to spill over its banks and flood the Blissfield parks.
According to the National Weather Service the river crested at 2:15 a.m. Monday at 681.39 feet. At 681 feet the weather service classifies the water stage at an action level. The water would have to rise to 683 feet to be considered a minor flood.
Blissfield Village Administrator James Wonacott said the water level did rise close to flood level but is on the way back down.
For the complete story and more photos by Brad Heineman and Melissa Burnor, please see the April 12, 2017, edition of The Advance.
Virginia Burnor Filter
Virginia J. Burnor Filter, 91, Blissfield, passed away Friday, April 7, 2017 at Cambrian Senior Living, Tecumseh. Ginny was born at the family home on Holloway Rd. in Ridgeway Township, September 17, 1925 to Frank and Ina (Hutchison) Tiede. Virginia graduated from Blissfield High School in June of 1944 and that same month married Max Burnor, a farmer from Deerfield. They had four children together and were married 35 years when Max passed away in 1980.
In 1984 Ginny married Warren Filter, Tecumseh and became active with him in the V.F.W. there. Warren passed away unexpectedly in 1993. Virginia moved to Blissfield in 1995 and lived in Coach Light Estates until 2016.
In her younger years, Ginny bowled, belonged to the Deerfield Mothers Club and was a Cub Scout Den mother. After her son Lee’s death in 1969 during the Vietnam War, Ginny became a Gold-Star Mother and participated in many parades and special ceremonies. In 2010 she spoke at the rededication of the Lenawee County Vietnam Memorial in Adrian. She was a lifelong member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church on N. Blissfield Hwy. and at one time active in the church’s Friendship Circle. She worked briefly at Woods Clothing Store, Blissfield.
Virginia always tried to put her best foot forward, she was a social person who liked to laugh and have fun. The highlight of her summers was spending time at her cottage on Marr Lake and socializing with her neighbors there. She always seemed to have a project on her “to do list”, loved polka music and dancing, reading and doing crossword puzzles. She loved her family, kept newspaper clippings of their achievements and was proud of any accomplishment. Family members eagerly anticipated her holiday and birthday boxes filled with homemade cookies. She was also well-known for her delicious cooking especially her potato salad.
Virginia is survived by her children, Judith (Larry) Ivan, Britton, David (Patti DeCloux) Burnor, Iron River, Christopher (Melissa) Burnor, Deerfield; stepchildren, Michael (Bonnie) Filter, Fort Wayne, Ind., Debbie (Robert) Donick, Traverse City; sisters, Alice (Robert) Mueller, Deerfield, Wilma Peters, Owosso; sisters-in-law, Donna Tiede, Lela Tiede, Blissfield, Jean Tiede, Ann Arbor; grandchildren, Laura (Michael) Lopez, Tecumseh, Rita Trujillo, Jerome, Danielle Edwards, Adrian, Jon Ivan, Britton, Deanna (Chad) Crots, Deerfield, Melissa (Mario) McClinton, Jackson, Brooke (Timothy II) Gorton, Horton, Anna Burnor (Joseph Hodges II), Adrian, Eric, Garrett and Brent Burnor, Deerfield; 18 great-grandchildren, four step grandchildren and Jean Burnor, Deerfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ina Tiede; husbands, Max Burnor and Warren Filter; son Lee Burnor; brothers, Daniel, Ervin, Ralph and Max Tiede; grandchildren, Stephanie and Joseph Ivan, stepdaughter, Jacqueline Beach; and special friends Ginny Gittus and Irene Feldman whom she dearly missed.
Funeral services for Virginia were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Palmyra . Rev. Gary Leking officiated. Visitation was from 2:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2017 at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. Burial followed in the Deerfield Township Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.
June Somes
June Valeria (Zibbell) Somes, 92, of Blissfield, Michigan, passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, April 7, 2017, surrounded by family. . She was born in Petersburg, Michigan, on June 2, 1924, the last of 12 children, to Elmore C. and Vera B. (Coultis) Zibbell.
June married Andrew Somes on December 24, 1942. They were blessed with 67 years of marriage before his passing in 2010. She was a former member of the Presbyterian Church, in Blissfield for 24 years, before becoming an active member of the First Congregational Church in Thompsonville, MI. June was active in the Food Bank of Marilla, MI and spent numerous years in the Snowbirds Snowmobile Club. She enjoyed weekly card games with other club members. In keeping with her belief that community service was a blessing to many, as a Vice President of the Ladies Aid Society, she pitched in every month, to help prepare a meal for the community in Sand Creek, MI. As a result of her hard work June was interviewed by Don Wolfe in an article that ran in the Blade November 24, 1978.
June is survived by her children; Michael (April), Thomas (Linda), and Robert Somes and Valeria Ostrander, grandchildren; Paula, Melissa, Amy, Sherry, Joshua, Jacob and Katie, and eleven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Andrew, parents, brothers; Louis, Bob, Billy, Sam, Elmore, Allen, Windy, and Warren and sisters; Grace, Eileen and Nancy, Son-in-law Gary Ostrander and granddaughter Andrea.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, OH.
Those wishing to leave a memorial in June’s honor, may wish to consider Blissfield Fire Department.