Elaine Swantek

Elaine lived for the simple pleasures, like an afternoon of wandering through the supermarket, or a quiet day on the shores of a lake. That's not to say she was complacent though, for Elaine was a feisty woman who knew what she wanted. Her dress and appearance were always flawless, as was her devotion to her family and her Catholic faith.

When she entered the world in the early 1920's, Elaine was a Wietsma-the second of eight Wietsma children to be exact. Though Able and Josie (Kik) Wietsma were her natural parents, circumstances soon called for a change in their living arrangement. As Elaine stepped through the doors of Harrison Park Elementary, she was calling the house of her Aunt Jen and Uncle Hugh (Misner) "home."

The school years passed quickly for Elaine, especially since she got to spend every summer with a different pair of relatives, Aunt Eltha and Uncle Dan (Kik). The entire family was proud of Elaine's success in school. She was a very smart girl, which was not surprising considering how much she read. Books allowed Elaine to learn and see the world, and she absorbed the information in them like a thirsty sponge. Elaine took home many academic awards, both from Harrison Park Elementary and from Union High. She only attended Union through the eleventh grade though, for it was then, as a teenager, that Elaine met a young man named Gerard (Jerry) Swantek. They were married a short while later in a quiet winter ceremony at St. James Catholic Church on December 3, 1938. Elaine was 17 at the time and was nothing but excited about beginning a family of her own.

Jerry's parents, Stephen and Georgina Swantek, invited the couple to live with them while they worked on saving up some money. Jerry and Elaine remained at the Swantek home on the 4th St. hill for a short while before moving to apartments on Alpine Avenue, Bridge Street, and 2nd Street. Finally, after eight years of moving about, the couple saved enough to buy a house on Escott. Elaine got to know the home well, as she remained there much of the time looking after her five children: Margo, Pamela, Jerry Jr., Robert, and Joan. Naturally, the children occupied much of Elaine's time, but she was perfectly content with the arrangement. She enjoyed teaching them and preparing them for school. They went to West Leonard, St. James, and Harrison Park Elementary schools, and they all graduated from Union High, where Elaine had been a student so many years before.

While Elaine took care of the home, Jerry spent his days working to provide for his family. He started out working in a meat market, but later accepted jobs at Lingers, A&P, EO Bowman, AC Sparkplug, and, eventually, General Motors. During his time off, Jerry loved to fish and he often took Elaine along with him. They fished for brook trout at Bennett Creek in Stanwood on several occasions. Elaine enjoyed the adventure of it, but let Jerry step in to remove the hook whenever a fish hung at the end of her line. Elaine didn't care to have anything to do with touching the fish, though the same could not be said for her boys. They grew to be steadfast fishermen like their father.

Much of the family time together was spent around the water. Elaine and Jerry took the children on many memorable vacations, often renting a cottage at Horse Head Lake or Black Lake. They went camping at Silver Lake and Croton Dam too. While Jerry and the children occupied their vacation days with fishing, sometimes Elaine would just sit and take in a good book. Since childhood she'd been an avid reader, and it showed in the quickness of her wit. Activities that let her mind wander amused Elaine too, like going grocery shopping. It was one of her favorite things to do.

Over the years, Elaine and Jerry moved from Escott to homes on Sibley Street and Barkwood Drive. They also spent some time at Aspen Lake Apartments before buying a condo at Gross Pointe Condominiums on Bona Vista Drive. After Jerry's retirement, he and Elaine spent their days together at the condo, just enjoying each other's company. Elaine cared for Jerry when his heart problems began, helping him through whatever joys and concerns each new day brought. Jerry became very sick in 1992, and eventually died of congestive heart failure on August 5 of that year. Her son, Jerry Jr. died on March 24, 1998 after a long struggle with cancer. It was a difficult time for Elaine, but she remained in good health and good spirits. Her strong Catholic faith sustained her. She went grocery shopping, met up with her friends and family members, and attended Holy Spirit Catholic Church, and with all these things to keep Elaine busy the time passed happily.

Elaine remained at the condo for a short time after Jerry's death, then moved to Marsh Ridge Apartments where she lived for two years. A stroke later forced her to move once again, this time to Grand Traverse Pavilions to be closer to her daughter Pam, who lived in Traverse City. Elaine's health continued to worsen until the early hours of Saturday, November 26, 2005, when she died peacefully, with Pam by her side.

Elaine will be remembered for her wit and energy-for her kindness and commitment to family and faith. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all those blessed to have made memories with her.

Mrs. Elaine G. Swantek, aged 84 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Saturday morning, November 26, 2005 in Traverse City, MI . She is survived by her children, Margo Przybysz, Pamela (Kenneth) Bruining, Robert (Patricia) Swantek, Joan (John) DiPiazza; 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; her daughter-in-law, Linda Swantek; 5 brothers and sisters including her special sister, Norma VanGilst; many nieces, nephews and friends. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Gerard S. Swantek, her son, Jerry Swantek Jr., her sister, June and her brother, Lawrence. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Church on Tuesday morning at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM with a vigil service at 7:00 PM. Please consider contributions in her memory to God's Kitchen or the Salvation Army. Please visit Elaine's webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guest book and leave your favorite memories of her. Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes.