Elsie Lucille Stearns, 84, of Clinton, Iowa passed away peacefully at the Alverno with her loving family at her side on November 20, 2014. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, at Lemke Funeral Homes - South Chapel (2610 manufacturing drive - just west of Clinton Lawn Cemetery). A visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Cremation rites will be accorded following the funeral service with burial taking place at Clinton Lawn Cemetery at a later date.
Elsie was born January 2, 1930 in Clinton, Iowa the daughter of Austin B. and Mildred (Nichols) Taylor. She attended the Clinton schools. She was united in marriage to Harold 'Popeye' Stearns on April 9, 1949 in Clinton, Iowa. Harold passed away on December 1, 1993 after 44 years of marriage.
Elsie was a member of Grace Episcopal Church. She was a cook most of her life, working at the Iowana Inn, the Holiday Inn and Lozano's in Clinton.
Elsie enjoyed cooking , baking, playing cards and treasured early morning walks with her husband on the river front, where they would often sit and reminisce. She also enjoyed the outdoors and loved bird watching and tending to her flowers. Above all Elsie loved her family dearly and loved spending time with them.
Elsie is survived by five daughters - Pat (Al) Robinson of Clinton, IA., Donna (Ron) Greul of Lyndon, IL., Jean (Kirk) Wainwright of Clinton, IA., Sherry (Mike) Davis of Clinton, IA., Connie Stearns (Jr. Bagley) Fairbury, Il.; thirteen grandchildren - Tom (Annette) Robinson of Clinton, IA., John McLeod of Clinton, IA., Tricia (Matt) Olson of Farmington, MN., Jennifer (Kevin) James of Clinton, IA., Bill (Wendy) Greul of Morrison, IL., Jolene Greul of Morrison and Joseph Greul of Lyndon, IL., Dawn Barker of Camanche, IA., Jay Wainwright of Clinton, IA., Larry (Franny) Stearns of Plattsmouth, NE, Missy (Ed) Bartels of Camanche, IA., David Edfors of Clinton, IA., Jamie (Michelle) Stearns of Grandmound, IA.; with twenty five great grandchildren and one great great grandchild with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding Elsie in death were her parents, her husband Harold, two sons - Charles and David, four sisters and one brother.
The family would like to thank Mercy Hospice and the staff at the Alverno for the love and compassion shown to Elsie.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elsie Stearns, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.