Louise Elaine Christian, age 84, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on March 19, 2023, during a hospital stay. Louise was born in Oakdale, California, to Lucien and Lucille (Spencer) Corbett. Louise lived most of her life in California. She graduated in 1956 from Upper Lake High School in Upper Lake, California, and attended Modesto Junior College in Modesto, California, and Skyline College in San Bruno, California. She lived in San Francisco for 20 years and spent several years in Florence, Oregon, and San Marcos, California. She moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 2009 to live near her daughter and granddaughter.
Children were near to her heart, and she dedicated more than 25 years to tireless childcare in many settings. She worked as a tutor, paraprofessional teacher, head teacher, preschool director, and in-home day care provider. She opened her own home as a foster receiving home for children in crisis and later a care home for developmentally disabled children. In addition, she served on the board of directors and was chairwoman of the board for Friends Outside for several years.
Louise was a talented artist and enjoyed several mediums, most notably watercolor. Her favorite subjects were trees and florals. She enjoyed gardening and always surrounded herself with beautiful plants and flowers. She was a gifted singer and loved music throughout her life.
She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Stevenson (Todd); sons, Marcus Christian and Gary McFarland (Sara); her granddaughters, Lia Stevenson, Christina Hollett, Constance Harris and Cassandra Voelker; nieces, Colleen Lawson (Brian) and Laurie Turley (Paul); nephews, Verlyn Corbett (Larisa), Theron Corbett (Melissa) and Bruce Corbett (Nancy). She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Lawrence “Lance” Corbett and Leslie “Les” Corbett; and her nephew, James “Jimmy” Corbett.
Cremation has taken place and there will be no service, according to her wishes. She is dearly missed.