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Elaine Thayer Briggs

Birth	:	17 Jan 1934 Nelson, Nuckolls County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	28 Jan 2005 Clive, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Evergreen Cemetery, Superior, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.0374985, -98.0650024
Description	:	Elaine Briggs was a remarkable woman with an endless supply of energy, creativity and an intense love of life. Whether she was working, raising her children, practicing her faith, expressing her artistic talents or spoiling her grandchildren, Elaine put her heart and passion into all that she did. More than anything, she cherished her immediate and extended family and loved them dearly. With the Great Depression hanging over the country, the year 1934 was a time of difficulty for all Americans, whether you lived in the city or the country. Life for the Thayer family living in a small farming community... Read More	Elaine Briggs was a remarkable woman with an endless supply of energy, creativity and an intense love of life. Whether she was working, raising her children, practicing her faith, expressing her artistic talents or spoiling her grandchildren, Elaine put her heart and passion into all that she did. More than anything, she cherished her immediate and extended family and loved them dearly. With the Great Depression hanging over the country, the year 1934 was a time of difficulty for all Americans, whether you lived in the city or the country. Life for the Thayer family living in a small farming community in Nebraska was gratifying, yet tough. Ira and Rose (White) Thayer maintained their positive spirits by focusing on a new blessing in their lives, the birth of their daughter Elaine, on January 17, 1934. Elaine grew up in Nelson, Nebraska on their family farm, where her father was a livestock broker and her mother was a busy homemaker and also well known for her exceptional seamstress work. The sixth of nine children, Elaine was always very close with her siblings. One event that strengthened their closeness was the loss of their father, when Elaine was young. Despite the loss they all grew from the experience and enjoyed each other. From playing outdoors, swimming in the creek, riding horses or pretending to be movie stars, they created many unforgettable childhood memories together. A very bright student, Elaine would often teach her younger siblings what she learned in school, perhaps sparking her interest in a teaching career. After graduating as salutatorian of her high school, Elaine entered Kearney State Teacher’s College. After a successful first year, she left college to experience the city life with her sister Mert as both took jobs in Lincoln. It was there that Elaine met her first husband, Jim Thompson. Tragically, Jim died in an accident early in their marriage, while in the Air Force testing a B-52 bomber. Elaine had just given birth to their first child, daughter Janet, who was only one week old at the time of her father’s death. Elaine and baby Janet then moved in with Jim’s parents, Tom and Alforretta Thompson, so that she could get back on her feet and return to school to earn her degree. In time, Mr. Thompson introduced Elaine to a young man named Russell Briggs, who worked for the US government as a technical writer for the defense missile sites in the region. It wasn’t long before Russ was head over heels in love with both Elaine and young Janet. At a beautiful service planned with the help of the Thompson, Elaine, with her sister Nila by her side, married Russ on August 25, 1962. Soon after marrying, Russ took a senior position with Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles where the Briggs family took full advantage of all that California had to offer. The family enjoyed sailing, sightseeing, the arts and entertaining the many relatives that visited them throughout their four years there. However, Elaine missed being close to her extended family and they moved back to Lincoln, Nebraska. Here Elaine began working as a paralegal secretary for a law firm, which helped supplement their income while Russ started his freelance writing career while teaching sailing and water safety part time for the Red Cross. It was in Lincoln where they first began buying older homes and refurbishing them to sell again – a business they would build upon for many years to come. In 1970, Russ took a position as professor with Kalamazoo Valley Community College, which led to their move to Plainwell, Michigan. A year later, in 1971, they joyfully welcomed the birth of their son, Eric, who enriched their lives greatly. Elaine’s talent, creativity and ingenuity seemed limitless. Her business savvy kept the family busy fixing up and managing investment and rental properties where at the height of their business, they owned four properties with six tenants. From restoring and decorating the houses and apartments to serving as listing agent and landlord, Elaine was quite the businesswoman and was always positively motivated. When not working, she loved to tend to her flower garden and yard and dream up new renovations and decorating for their beautiful 100 year old Victorian home. Elaine was also an accomplished quilter, which was more of an art form for her than a hobby. She was an active member of the Island City Quilters in Plainwell and also completed multiple works of art with fellow quilter and sister Wanda. She and Russ also enjoyed traveling in their private plane, which was a passion for pilot and flight instructor Russ. They enjoyed many trips to Nebraska, Florida and St. Louis to visit family and friends. But the fun didn’t stop there – their adventurous spirits led them on many a road trip across the country to enjoy state and national parks, snow skiing adventures and family reunions. These wonderful times together as a family leave indelible memories that will last a lifetime. When not caring for her family or flying off on another adventure, Elaine selflessly volunteered, including the PTA and teaching Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Plainwell. Elaine was also known to be a strong debater, especially when it came to politics and current events. An avid cable news fan and well read on many subjects, Elaine made it clear exactly where she stood on the issues! Elaine Briggs was an incredibly compassionate woman with a strong Christian faith who changed people’s lives for the better. Elaine was a loving and supportive wife, who in partnership with Russ, created a most wonderful and successful life together. She loved being a mother to her two children and was always involved in their schooling and church activities as well as their sports endeavors. She especially loved her grandchildren – Ryan, Lauren and Janet – and was always doting over them and involved in their lives. Like her mother Rose, Elaine enjoyed sewing – especially when handcrafting something for her grandchildren or a special quilt or gift to decorate her children’s homes. By expressing her love through her actions, her words and her faith, she gave something back to every relationship. Elaine left her children and grandchildren with many cherished memories, but more importantly, she left them with the unforgettable example of what a good mother and grandmother should be. She will be greatly missed and remembered daily. Elaine Briggs went to be with her Lord on Friday, January 28, 2005, in Clive, Iowa, where the couple had stopped for the night on their way to Nebraska for Mrs. Thompson's 100th Birthday Celebration. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Wayne, Darrell, and Jerry Thayer and Mert Ray. Elaine’s family includes her husband, Russell Briggs; children: Janet (Tim) Hill of VA, and Eric (Stacey) Briggs of TN; grandchildren: Ryan Hill, Lauren Hill and Janet Briggs; sisters: Wanda Adams and Nila Barfknecht, and brothers: Max and Verle Thayer; and many nieces and nephews. To learn more about Elaine’s life, friends may visit with her family on Wednesday, February 2, from 5-8 p.m. at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where her service will be held on Thursday, February 3, at 11 a.m. Please visit Elaine’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in her memory to the William Crispe Community Home- a community of compassion and support for seniors.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Elaine Thayer Briggs's memorial?
Elaine Thayer Briggs's memorial is located at: Evergreen Cemetery, Superior, Nuckolls County, USA.
When did Elaine Thayer Briggs death?
Elaine Thayer Briggs death on 28 Jan 2005 in Clive, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Elaine Thayer Briggs's memorial?
Latitude: 40.0374985
Longitude: -98.0650024

Family Members:

Parent

Ira William Thayer

(1903 - 1949)

Rose Mae White Patterson

(1906 - 1988)

Spouse

James Everett Thompson

(1935 - 1958)

Russell Daniel “Russ” Briggs

(1934 - 2014)

Siblings

Wanda Lee Thayer Adams

(1927 - 2016)

Nila Jean Thayer Barfknecht

(1930 - 2006)

Darrell D. Thayer

(1932 - 1989)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Evergreen Cemetery
Superior, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0374985, -98.0650024

2. Valley View Cemetery
Webber, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9863180, -98.0309590

3. Salem Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1255989, -98.0658035

4. Bostwick Cemetery
Bostwick, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0536118, -98.1801071

5. Olive Hill Cemetery
Webber, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9516983, -98.1568985

6. Webber Cemetery
Webber, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9281040, -98.0354410

7. Hardy City Cemetery
Hardy, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0166817, -97.9085617

8. Nora Cemetery
Nora, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1394005, -97.9705963

9. Montana Cemetery
Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9152985, -98.1082993

10. Rose Mound Cemetery
Big Bend Township, Republic County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9655991, -97.9132996

11. Dahl Cemetery
Webber, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8993988, -98.0432968

12. Beulah Cemetery
Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1324997, -98.1986008

13. Shaffer Cemetery
Mankato, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9514008, -98.2118988

14. Fairview Cemetery
Lovewell, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9073720, -97.9882780

15. Cleveland Cemetery
Webber, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9305992, -98.1939011

16. German Kellner Cemetery
Webber, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9437828, -98.2119141

17. Nelson Cemetery
Nelson, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2056084, -98.0791702

18. Spring Creek Cemetery
Ruskin, Nuckolls County, USA
Coordinate: 40.1258011, -97.8756027

19. Steuben Cemetery
Webber, Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8717330, -98.1301370

20. Columbia Cemetery
Guide Rock, Webster County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0499992, -98.2932968

21. Lake Cemetery
Republic, Republic County, USA
Coordinate: 39.9667015, -97.8380966

22. Guide Rock Cemetery
Guide Rock, Webster County, USA
Coordinate: 40.0811005, -98.3125000

23. White Rock Cemetery
Republic, Republic County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8788986, -97.9132996

24. Switzers Gap Cemetery
Jewell County, USA
Coordinate: 39.8422012, -98.0255966