Eula Mae (Bruder) Chriest

Eula Mae (Bruder) Chriest, age 99, a long-time resident of Tampico, Illinois, began her Peaceful Rest on July 7, 2023.

Visitation will be on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Garland Funeral Home in Tampico. A family gathering for Eula’s burial will follow in Tampico Memorial Cemetery.

Eula was born on May 30, 1924, in Yorktown, Illinois, to Adolph and Ida (Holtz) Bruder. The Bruder family moved to Tampico when Eula was a young girl and she was a Tampico resident for most of her life. Eula was united in marriage to Charles W. Chriest on June 7, 1942, in Rock Falls. Charles preceded Eula in death in 1996. Eight children were born to Charlie and Eula; and Eula became Grandma to 22 grandchildren and a larger number of great, and great-great, grandchildren. For decades Charlie and Eula owned and operated Chriest Garage, serving the Tampico community. Eula loved being out and about in town, always being good for a wave, a smile, a hug, or a kind word for people she met. Eula stayed strong well into her 90’s, still mowing her own lawn in the Summer and raking her leaves in the Fall.

Eula is survived by three children, Ida Rae Staelens of Sterling, Anna (Randy) Wetzell of Tampico, and Timothy (Kathy) Chriest of Aurora, Illinois, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Eula was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, husband Charles W. Chriest, infant child Thomas, daughter Susan Mitchell of Texas, sons Roger (Mary) Chriest of Rock Falls, Charles D. Chriest of Tampico, and Steven Chriest of Tampico, grandson Eric Wetzell and great-grandson Seth Chriest.

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