Elaine Marguerite (Welkener) Ransom

Elaine Marguerite Ransom, nee Welkener, of Steelville, Missouri passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 7 days. She was born November 22, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri to John Welkener and Marie Lemand Welkener. Elaine was a 1953 Steelville High School graduate.

Elaine was united in marriage to James "Jim" Ransom on August 20, 1960 in Steelville and to this union five children were born.

She was a long-time member, since 1948, of the Steelville Presbyterian Church. Elaine was employed for a number of years in the office at Brown Shoe Company in Steelville. Later, she became a postal clerk at the Steelville Post Office, but filling in at the Rolla office as a temporary postmaster when needed. Elaine retired from the Steelville Post Office in 2000.

After retirement, she spent much of her time helping others and volunteering at the food pantry, driving the elderly and others to their doctor’s appointments, and answered the phone in the Chamber of Commerce office for a while.  She proudly donated her blood to the Red Cross and encouraged her kids to do the same.  In her quiet times, she loved reading, especially historical fiction, listening to classical music, and watching NCIS and detective shows. Another favorite was watching the Cardinals play, with her granddaughter, Jessica.

Elaine had a heart of gold for others and was a tough and resilient woman for herself. She was so appreciative and thankful for all of the ones who cared for her whether the staff at the hospitals, Steelville Senior Living or her family.

As a Grandma, she was 100% all in, whether it was an Art Show, Athletic Event, or Awards assembly, as a youth or as an adult, G-Ma was there, proud as could be.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Ransom; her parents, John and Marie Welkener; grandson, Benjamin Michael Ransom; son, James “J.T.” Ransom; father-in-law, James Steven "Dewey" Ransom and mother-in-law, Nora Banks, nee Brown; two brothers, John Welkener and Leonard Welkener; three sisters, Shirley (Al) Halbman, Arline Hubbard and Jeaneen (Harry) Walker; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ava (Bud) Viehman, Bill Ransom, and Janet (Ransom) Eckert.

She will be lovingly missed by her children, Jennifer Whitson, Janice (Marty) McMillen, Joseph Ransom, all of Steelville, MO and Julie Ransom of St. Clair, MO; daughter-in-law, Sharon Ransom of Steelville; grandchildren, Erin Whitson of Steelville and Ian Whitson of Sullivan, MO, Donald James “D.J.” (Whitney) Ransom of Bentonville, AR, Megan (Scott) Vanatta of Rogers, AR, Megan (Brian) Friedman of Steelville, Celena McElroy of Rolla, MO, Kasey (Cassie) McMillen of Steelville, Jacob (Elizabeth) Ransom of Sicily, Italy, Jessica Ransom of Steelville; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Emma, Charlotte, Brinkley, Kaylei, Chloe, Nikolai, Cordelia, Carter, Kamden, Jacob Jr. and Rowan; sister, Carol (Junior) Halbert of Cherryville, MO; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ester “Cookie” Welkener of Ohio, Cinda Welkener of Gray Summit, MO, Marilyn Ransom of Steelville, MO and Dewayne “Murf” Ransom of Cook Station, MO, Wanda (Bill) Bogue of Cuba, Steve Eckert of Steelville, Steve (Linda) Ransom of Steelville, Larry Ransom of Steelville, Pat (Alan) Brown of Cherryville, Jeff Ransom of Steelville; Lifelong family friend, Ray Atchison of Steelville, MO; nieces, nephews; other relatives; and friends.

The Family received friends from 3:00 P.M. until service time on Friday, June 6, 2025 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at 5:00 P.M. with Rev. Jerry Beers officiating. Special music of "Because of You", "How Do I Say Good-by", "Save a Place for Me" and "I Can Only Imagine" was played.

Inurnment will be at a later date in the Steelville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Elaine's name to Steelville Food Pantry, P.O. Box 1166, Steelville, MO 65565 or Trail of Tears Remembrance Committee, c/o of Britton-Bennett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 457, Steelville, MO 65565.

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