Elaine Kruzel

With a journey that spanned times of plenty and times of want, times of war and peace, Elaine Marcelle Kruzel held her loved ones close through it all. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and nothing brought her greater joy than surrounding herself with family and friends. A bright and vivacious presence, all who knew Elaine will certainly agree that she was truly a beautiful woman from the inside out. Her solid work ethic and unshakeable faith carried her through all the ups and downs of life. Deeply treasured, Elaine will be forever missed and remembered.

There was happiness to be found in the household of Abel Carre’ and Celina Marie (Se’ne’calle) Carre’ of Laharve, France, as they were expecting the arrival of their second child. Abel supported the family by working as a banker, and Celina tended to the house and children as a homemaker. On April 23, 1922, they were excited to welcome their daughter, Elaine Charlotte, into their arms. Elaine joined her older sister, Solonge, in the family. She was raised in the family home and enjoyed a quiet, peaceful childhood full of fond memories. Elaine was especially close to her father. She attended local schools and learned to be an excellent seamstress.

Elaine’s life took a turn when WWII broke out. Germany occupied the country of France, including her town, and she ended up making uniforms for the Germans. Aside from the war, Elaine’s family faced several huge challenges as well. Her mother was fighting cancer when Elaine was only 16, and her father went blind and was relocated to Northern France to escape the bombings. In an attempt to catch the Germans, the United States bombed Elaine’s town, not knowing that the Germans had already fled. The town was flattened, but the French still viewed the American troops as heroes for their help in such a time of need.

Elaine met and soon married Jim Kruzel, a US GI. The two were wed in France on September 7, 1946. After the war, Jim was called back to the United States, and Elaine had to stay behind until she received authorization to follow him later that year. She made the trip to New York on a steamship, and Jim was waiting for her. The couple settled down with Jim’s parents in South Haven, Michigan. Elaine took on the challenge to learn to drive and speak English. Eventually, the two moved to Cutlerville and lived temporarily in a garage while Jim built the house that would become Elaine’s longtime home. A local Christian Reformed church came alongside them to help finish the house, which was a huge blessing to Elaine and her kids

There was nothing that meant more to Elaine than her beloved family. She was overjoyed to become a mother to her four children, Gerard, Phil, Lu-Ann, and Patricia, who passed away as an infant. Elaine thrived in her role as a mother, and she dedicated herself to raising her kids. When her children were adults, she valued continuing to build close relationships with them and spent weekends with them whenever she could. Elaine thrilled to become a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and even a great-great-grandmother. She was also able to return to France to visit family there as well. Elaine always considered herself blessed to watch her family grow to include so many loved ones.

Throughout her life, Elaine strove to provide for her children as a single parent. Her passion and skill for sewing allowed her to work from home as a seamstress when her kids were young. Once they were a little older, Elaine began working for Kent Fabrics, Alron, and later GM. She would make clothes for the children in her family, and she even sewed her daughter Lu-Ann’s wedding dress. In 1984, Elaine left her fulfilling career behind to enjoy her retirement years with family and friends from church.

Never one to sit still for long, Elaine pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She loved fishing well into her 80s at Cranberry Lake and swimming in the pool. Elaine spent winters in her trailer in Zephyr Hills, Florida. Despite not being much of a gardener herself, she liked having flowers in her home and yard. Lake Michigan was one of Elaine's favorite places to be, and she loved camping, fishing, and riding bikes with her family. She cherished her pets over the years, including her latest companions, Brandy and Mimi. Elaine was always up for an adventure.

Elaine’s faith was deeply important to her. She was raised in the Catholic faith and attended St. Mary Magdalene Church with her family. After Lu-Ann got married in the 1970s, Elaine joined the People’s Church, which would later become Res Life Church, and immediately felt at home. She was fiercely passionate about serving in the children’s ministry and hospitality within the church. In her later years, Elaine was blessed to witness a full-circle moment in her life when she was given a handmade blanket from a Christian Reformed church.

When reflecting on the life and legacy of Elaine Marcelle Kruzel, it is easy to see both her unwavering determination and unconditional love for her family. She was a shining example of perseverance, and she leaned on her faith in good times and bad. A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Elaine considered her family to be her greatest source of pride and joy. To know her was to love and admire her, and her insatiable zest for life could be felt by everyone around her. Though she will be dearly missed, Elaine leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

KRUZEL – Elaine Marcelle Kruzel nearly 103 years old, of Grand Rapids, passed away on April 13, 2025. She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Patricia Kruzel; son, Gerard (Susan) Kruzel; and sister, Solonge (Louis) Fort. Elaine is survived by her son, Phil (Peggy) Kruzel; daughter, Lu-Ann (Harley) Britton; grandchildren, Karri (Heath) Walker, Gerard (Megan) Kruzel, Scott Kruzel, Nicole (Mike) McNamara, and Brian (Megan) Kruzel; 9 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren. The family will receive family and friends from 11 AM to 1 PM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Private family entombment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Contributions in her memory may be made to Resurrection Life Grandville Children’s Ministries. Celebrate Elaine’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated memory page at heritagelifestory.com