Elizabeth Lou Stout

Elizabeth Lou Custer Stout, (Bunner), went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ, at the age of 87. Elizabeth passed away peacefully at home on Thursday November 14, 2024, with loving family at her side.

Elizabeth began her fabulous life on August 21, 1937 in Monroe Michigan. She was born the third child of US Army Colonel Charles A and Minnie Custer. Her siblings include oldest brother Richard Custer and wife Myrtle Rose, sister Dacia Salopek and husband John, and younger brother Thomas Custer and wife Patricia. Bunner and her siblings spent their childhood in Heidelberg, Germany during the 2nd world war. After the war ended, the Custer family came home to Fort Ord, California and subsequently on to Las Cruces, NM, where Elizabeth graduated from Las Cruces Union High School. 

Elizabeth married Bobby Joe Stout in 1957, here in Las Cruces. In 1962 Bob and Liz moved to Kwajalein Island in the South Pacific, where Bob was employed as a radar technician for the “Bell System”. They spent four years on the island with children Bobby Joe Jr and Cynthia. They returned to the Mesilla Valley, raising four children, Bobby Joe Jr, Cynthia, Barry, and David. Their wonderful marriage lasted 48 years, only to end with Bob’s passing in 2005. Liz then met up with her Heidelberg Germany boyfriend, Roger Hall, where they enjoyed 18 golden years together. She was employed as a bookkeeper with Midcap Bearing Company for 25 years. Liz loved to play cards, especially Bridge, achieving the level of Master Bridge Player with our local Bridge Club. Liz spent many years as a Sunday school teacher with St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, here in Las Cruces. 

Elizabeth is survived by her three sons, Bobby Joe Jr and wife Melissa (Peinado), Barry and wife Kathy (Salopek), David and wife Amanda (Brooks). Siblings Dacia Salopek and younger brother Thomas and wife Patricia (Nevarez). She is survived by her grandchildren James Stout and Chantal Savage, Mike Rivera and wife Kelly, Phillip Rivera, Maria Stout, Anne and Matt Lanier, Bobby Tom Stout, Krista Stout and Jesse Valdespino, Josh Stout and fiancé Kylie Nelson, Michael Pinholster, Cy McCravey and Chad McCravey. She is survived by great grandchildren Londyn Stout and Reagan Rivera. She is survived by nieces and nephews, Gary Steel, Laura Montoya, Craig Custer, Ronald, Randall, and Richlyn Woods, Karen and Vicky Stout. 

Awaiting Elizabeth in Heaven are husband Bobby Joe Sr. (June 26, 2005), daughter Cynthia Elizabeth Pinholster (April 30, 2019), boyfriend Roger H Hall (January 2024), older brother Richard Custer (December 3, 2009) and parents, Col. Charles and Minnie Custer. In-laws Harry and Minnie May Stout, Richard and Ivogene Woods, Willie Lester and Doyline Stout, Lawrence Stout and John Salopek. 

The Stout Family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Elizabeth’s caregivers. Their love and devotion to our mother for 13 months, allowed her to live a happy and comfortable life. Maria Lulu Resendiz, Rosa Angrisani, Martha Hernandez, Luisa and Illiana Garibay all took excellent care of Liz, for which we will be forever grateful. Thank you also to Sierra Healthcare Hospice, Stephanie and Tobin, for their meticulous care as Liz entered the end of her journey.

Elizabeth’s post life care and services have been entrusted to Getz Funeral Home, Las Cruces, NM. Services will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11am, at Getz Funeral Home, with Pastor Joseph Andrews of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church presiding. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Mike Rivera, James, Josh and Bobby Tom Stout. Her ashes will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Las Cruces NM, December 6th, next to her husband Bobby Joe Stout Sr. and her daughter Cynthia Elizabeth Pinholster.