Elaine Florence Merchant

Elaine Florence Merchant, 86, of Sioux City passed away Friday, May 13, 2022 at her residence.

Services will be held at 12:00 P.M. Friday, May 27, 2022 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.  The funeral service may be joined virtually by following this link:  https://youtu.be/chXDH5Hm0Yg.  Visitation with the family will be Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 5-7 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.  The prayer service may be joined virtually at: https://youtu.be/1_o282vSLTE.

Elaine was born May 15, 1935 in Sloan, Iowa, the daughter of Richard “Red” and Ruby (Tague) Hollinger.  When Elaine was young, the family moved to Prentice, Wisconsin where she grew up and graduated from high school.  Elaine married John Merchant on September 11, 1954 in Sioux City.  Elaine worked for Interbake Food (formerly Johnson Biscuit) for 33 years until retirement in 1992.  She enjoyed crafts and displaying her creations at craft shows, gardening and tending to her beautiful flowers, and her greatest joy was helping to raise her beloved grandchildren. 

Survivors include her husband John Merchant of Sioux City; daughters:  Paula’ Steig and fiancé Bill Babb of Sioux City and Julie Lanzourakis of Sioux City; grandchildren:  Hiedi Willemsen, Jennifer Willemsen, Melissa (Al) Lanzourakis-Joens, Michael (Aimee) Willemsen, David (Justin) Steig, Zackery Lanzourakis, Kurt Steig, and James Lanzourakis; 11 great grandchildren; and sister Jessie O’Brien.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Joyce Willemsen, and nine siblings:  Annabelle, Milo, Richard, Eva, Edward, Carol, Marlene, Raymond, and Linda.