Elsie Quist

Elsie “Punkie” Quist was a spirited and loving woman, nurse and mother. She was patient, caring and generous with her time. Elsie never thought twice about going out of her way to help someone in need. Her family was the center of the world, and she would have devoted every moment to her grandchildren, if time allowed.

In 1932, the country was enthralled in the midst of the Great Depression. Unemployment was rampant and families struggled just to make ends meet. The New Deal and Social Security were still campaign promises of Franklin Roosevelt. In the midst of the country’s turmoil, Kenneth and Elsie (Ruoss) Smith were welcoming into the world their daughter, Elsie, on September 2, 1932, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Elsie’s father was a salesman and her mother worked in retail, which afforded her a life with ample growing up. Although Elsie was an only child, she always had a playmate in her youngest maternal aunts, who were only five and eight years older than her. They cherished their relationship and often thought of each other as siblings. Elsie attended elementary school in the area before her family moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan, in her early teens. She completed her education graduating from Benton Harbor High School. She took seamstress classes while in school which she found handy in later years. After high school, the Smith family returned to Grand Rapids. Elsie attended Wayne State University and was a 1953 graduate of Butterworth School of Nursing. She started her nursing career in the OB/Maternity Ward at Butterworth Hospital. It was here in the hospital that a handsome orderly, Burton Quist, caught her eye. Burton was actually a teacher at Ottawa Hills High School and only worked at the hospital as a second job. Burton and Elsie became close very quickly and when he was to head back home to Minnesota for the summer, they realized they couldn’t live without each other and became engaged. The happy couple became husband and wife on August 28, 1954.

Elsie and Burton shared many things in common and being career orientated was one of them. They both enjoyed their professions, but that didn’t stop them from starting a family of their own. They rejoiced in the birth of daughter, Susan, born November 26, 1956, and son, Kenneth, born September 4, 1959, who brought great joy and happiness to the Quist household. After Ken arrived, Elsie decided to take a while off of her nursing career to enjoy time raising her children. She filled their home with amorous warmth and unconditional love that resounds in the hearts of her children to this day. Her children always found shelter and security in their mother’s caring arms. After Ken started preschool, Elsie returned to a nursing job working nights at Sunshine Hospital. She switched to working days after Ken was in the 7th grade so the family could be together in the evenings. The Quist family enjoyed frequent summer vacations at Lake Michigamme in the Upper Peninsula where they rented a cabin and brought their rods and reels along for fishing in the lake. One year on the night before they were to leave for the cabin, their family dog decided to have a litter of puppies. Without a thought, the family waited until they were able to put the dog and her puppies in the car with them. Their vacations at the cabin were filled with catching fish, which Elsie cooked instead of going out on the lake.

As busy as her life was, Elsie remained a devoted daughter to her mother. They had a very special bond as mother and daughter, but also as best friends. They shared many treasured times together on shopping trips to Chicago or just enjoying each other’s company over lunch. Memories of their times together became treasures of her heart.

Elsie loved to travel and enjoyed going to places like New Orleans and Disney World, but she most cherished her five trips to Germany. She liked going out for lunch maybe taking in some shopping, always keeping a watchful eye out for good deals. Elsie had special shelves in her basement dedicated for when she came back from a good “can” sale at the grocery store. She kept everything in case it might prove useful later. Elsie also had many hobbies that kept her busy. She was a hopeless romantic enjoying being curled up with a good romance novel and was a talented knitter. She listened to the music of the big bands. She especially liked German food, baby back ribs and a salad with blue cheese dressing. Although not one of her better habits, Elsie enjoyed smoking. She and Burton were also known to consume six pots of coffee a day and ten to twelve pots in the summer. This must have been what kept her so feisty.

Elsie retired in 1988 due after suffering a stroke, after many years of service at Kent Community Hospital. She was the head nurse of 2 North and dedicated herself to ensuring quality care to her patients. She was homebound until 1991 unitl she entered the Peter C. and Pat Cook Hospice Center in September of 2002. The nurses and the aides quickly became attached to her and Elsie considered them as family.

Some of Elsie’s most cherished moments were times spent with her grandchildren. She had a special bond with her oldest two grandsons, Chris and Ken, who tenderly helped take care of their grandmother when her health started to decline. Elsie also had a soft spot for her little dog, Jessie, who was a Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix with red brown hair. Although Elsie had always had a dog, Jessie proved to be special. Jessie was Elsie's guardian as she spent her days sitting next to Elsie and her nights sleeping with her in her bed.

Elsie was devoted to her nursing career a great deal, appreciating the opportunities to care for others. Many times she shared her love, laughter and inspiration with many people through her deeds and actions. These were reciprocated back to Elsie while she was at Holland Home Hospice. A nurse, who worked with Elsie at Kent Community Hospital, said she was honored to give Elsie the wonderful care that she had given to others throughout her life.

Elsie "Punkie" Quist passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2003. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Burton; and her parents, Kenneth and Elsie Smith. She is survived by her children: Susan (Russell) Hansen and Kenneth (Diane) Quist; five grandchildren: Christopher (Rachel) Fales, Kenneth Fales, Jamie Hansen, Jonathan Quist, and Thomas Quist; and a great-granddaughter, Corrine Fales. Also surviving are her brothers-in-law, Lowell Quist and Raymond (Ellen) Quist; aunts, Mary Doering, Doris Kimber, and Esther "Pat" Ruoss; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 16, at the Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Thursday, January 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, January 16, from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can read Elsie's life story, leave a memory, order flowers, or make a contribution to Hospice of Holland Home. HERITAGE FUNERAL SERVICE Life Story Funeral Homes

It is said that you reap what you sow in life. Elsie Quist knew that true hospitality began in the heart and because of this zestful pursuance of life she reaped the rewards of a full and happy life with a loving family. She will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved her.