Elaine M. Van Kuiken

Elaine M. Van Kuiken had learned many valuable lessons throughout her lifetime, including the fact that life was too short to waste it trying to be something she was not. Genuine and open, she did things the way she wanted while still serving the needs of her family with love and commitment. Always willing to talk, Elaine made friends everywhere she went and made herself available when others were in need.

In the 1920s, many people in the United States put aside their fears of war and trouble for a time, unaware that economic disaster was just around the corner. In the spring of 1925, Clarence and Julia (Johnson) Finstrom of Cadillac, Michigan, were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child and welcomed their new baby girl on May 18. Little Elaine Marie was eventually joined by two sisters, Marilyn and Beverly. As the oldest, Elaine had several responsibilities around the house. When the stock market crash of 1929 sent the world reeling into the Great Depression, she and the rest of the family had to make do with what they had. They learned to save and reuse, a resourcefulness that remained with Elaine throughout her lifetime. When she was in elementary school, the family moved to Grand Rapids where Elaine went on to attend Union High School.

A young man named Gerald Van Kuiken lived next door to the Finstroms. During high school, he and Elaine started dating. In December of 1941, they learned of the bombing of the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor and many of their friends and family members were sent to defend the nation in what became known as World War II. After graduation, Gerald joined their ranks as he was drafted into the Army. Like everyone else, Gerald and Elaine were frightened but determined. Shortly after Gerald's training, Elaine traveled to see him in Louisiana while he was on leave and the two exchanged wedding vows on July 21, 1945.

Elaine returned home to her job for Bell Telephone Company providing rates and routes, quoting costs to customers for connecting them on long distance calls. She worked from 6:00 p.m. to midnight for her entire career of nearly forty years. The late shift came with the benefit of getting paid for eight hours a night instead of six, plus cab fare home.

Shortly after entering the service, Gerald's father passed away and Gerald was discharged in order to help his family back home. He was thrilled to be back with his dear Elaine and took over in his dad's upholstery business. The young couple was blessed with three children. Their first was Cheryl, followed by their son Gerald, and then another beautiful daughter, Barbara. Elaine was a good mother, dependable and supportive. Gerald was a strong leader in the household, but Elaine often exhibited her own stubborn streak and they were both independent people, teaching their children to be strong as well. Elaine also taught the children about frugality by her consistent example. For instance, when they went out to eat, she judged the quality of the meal by its price, not by its taste.

As the kids were growing up, Elaine made sure she was always home when they arrived from school. She would make a good, wholesome dinner and as soon as Gerald came home, the family would eat. They ate quickly, Elaine with her feet pointed toward the side, because as soon as they were done the family piled into the car and took her to work at the phone company, always arriving just in time. Since she arrived home from work shortly after midnight, she usually stayed up until about 2:00 a.m. and then slept in the next morning. She kept her night owl habits long after her retirement.

She and Gerald made a good team and enjoyed entertaining, often hosting people for dinner. Elaine always saved things that might be useful later and Gerald kept her collections in order so that the house remained organized. In 1984, the family suffered a harsh blow when Gerald had a stroke. It was difficult for everyone since he had always been a man of strength and independence. Since he had difficulty communicating, Elaine talked for both of them and was more than up for the task. She was a loving caregiver for him for six years until his death in 1990. After he passed away, she took comfort in her faith and family and continued on, taking the brave step to leave the home she had helped design and had lived in for nearly forty years. She moved into a house up the road and devoted much of her time to community service.

Elaine loved volunteering at the Voigt House Victorian Museum and was a precinct captain for elections, working at the election booths for nearly twenty years. Her outgoing personality made her well suited for both positions as she was always friendly and approachable. She also served faithfully in her church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which she had been involved with since the 1970s.

Elaine had many hobbies that kept her busy and sought out opportunities to be with people. She loved to collect and refinish antiques and also collected books, although she read magazines more often than her books. Although she didn't like accepting presents from people, she did like to keep up with current events and even accepted a gift of a computer in order to stay up-to-date, becoming quite competent with her new technology. She kept herself well informed on herbal and natural remedies. She loved to talk and often digressed into lengthy phone conversations, almost always calling back later because she had forgotten to mention the reason she had called in the first place.

Although Elaine's health deteriorated over the last several years, her independent spirit kept her from asking for help very often. Never wanting to inconvenience anyone, she put off calling family or insisted that they wait for a convenient time to come to her assistance. She leaves her family with the assurance of her love and the memory of her strength and determination. Her example will continue to encourage her loved ones for years to come.

Elaine passed away at her home on Friday, October 27, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Van Kuiken, Sr. Elaine is survived by her children: Cheryl Dykema, Gerald (June) Van Kuiken, Jr., and Dr. Barbara Van Kuiken and John Neuerburg; grandchildren: Shawn (Melissa) Dykema, Robert (Rebecca) Dykema, Matthew (Kate) Dykema, Michael Dykema, Gerald Van Kuiken III, Christie Van Kuiken, and Nicholas Van Kuiken; five great grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn (Maurice) Peterson and Beverly (Howard) Miner; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 31, at 11 a.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, where relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family on Monday, October 30, from 2-4 and from 7-9 p.m. Please visit Elaine's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or watch her Life Story film.