Elizabeth Lusk Briggs

Elizabeth "Liz" Lusk Briggs peacefully passed away in Billings, Montana on Sunday morning, January 14. Six days earlier, she celebrated her 91^st birthday, surrounded by loving family, friends and Magnolia Place caretakers. Liz was born January 8, 1916 in Pilot Grove, Missouri, to Boyd and Nelle Lusk. Her father died in the influenza epidemic of 1918. She graduated from Central High School in Springfield, Missouri, and from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. She was always proud of being very popular in college, and loved to tease by reminding her children and grandchildren of the many boyfriends she had in those earlier days. She married Ed "Bunny" Briggs in 1937, and taught elementary grades and high school in several states. She returned to live in Springfield, Missouri in 1957, with her daughter, Judy and her son Tom. She worked many years as office manager for Springfield surgeons, Drs. Clark, Moseley and Lundman. Following her retirement from that position, she worked for Neff’s Women’s Clothing Store, "for fun" and was proud of her ability to advise women in their choice of clothing. She also enjoyed home decorating, antiques, and clothes with bright colors. She especially saw herself as "advisor" to her grandsons in their choice of clothing, which wasn’t always appreciated by them. In spite of that, they loved her very much, especially the fact that she was a "Christmas and birthday kind of person" who loved to give many gifts to everyone. She was a long time member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield.

As a result of deteriorating health, Liz responded to the requests of her son-in-law and daughter, Joe and Judy Rich, and moved to Billings to live at West Park Village Retirement Home in 1995. The next 12 years were very full and happy for her in spite of her continuing health problems, and the move to Billings allowed her to have much more contact with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She received wonderful and loving care at West Park Village, and counted many close friends among residents and staff alike. In the last year of her life, as a result of further deteriorating health, she moved to Magnolia Place, for more specialized nursing care. That move also proved to be good for her. In spite of her physical health problems, her mind remained sharp and she was able to thoroughly enjoy her new friends, both residents and staff. They immediately took her under their loving embrace. She matched wits with them at every opportunity, and entertained them with her great sense of humor right until the end.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Marjorie Young of Springfield. She is survived by her daughter Judy Rich (husband Joe), grandson Curt (Emily) and great grandchildren Isabel, Rachael and Harper; grandson David (Patty) and great grandchildren Nicolas and Santiago; and grandson Scott (Heather) and great grandchildren Dylan and Dustin; by her son Tom (Gay), grandson Tom (Anita) and great grandchildren Caedmon, Cecily and Corwyn; grandson Scott and great grandchildren Kimberli and Alaina, and by her sister, Helen Robberson and her brother, Bill Mullett and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be 11am Friday, January 19^th at American Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.