Elaine Groustra ’52 Boers

Elaine Ruth (Groustra) Boers was taken to her eternal home on September 25, 2022. Born in Roseland, IL (Chicago) on October 19, 1930, Elaine and her husband, Al, marked 71 years of marriage earlier this month.

Elaine attended Hope College but didn’t complete her degree there until moving to Holland in 1966, with 4 children at home. She taught elementary school and was active at Christ Memorial Reformed Church as Sunday School teacher and youth leader. In her retirement, Elaine served as a docent at the Holland Museum for a time. She was a gracious hostess but her talents leaned more towards the meal presentation than the cooking. She baked many delicious pies for group gatherings and for every Christmas Eve family celebration, Elaine’s contribution was her homemade sticky buns and a banket stick (also homemade) for each family to take home. Elaine was known and admired for her creativity and skilled needlework, including sewing, quilting, knitting, and cross-stitch, creating/gifting countless items from the work of her hands. She remained active in quilting groups at Christ Memorial and Freedom Village until shortly before her death.

Elaine and Al enjoyed traveling, visiting nearly 2 dozen countries together. She also attended Hope College sporting events over the years with Al and friends, Jerry and Elsie Redeker, tolerating many a football and basketball game just for the dinners that followed.

While rejoicing that we will see her again in heaven, Elaine will be deeply missed by many. She is survived by loving husband, Albert ’51, children Jann (Mike) Kolean, Susan ’76 (Rick ’76) Smith, Mark Boers ’78, Sally ’80 (Brian ’80) Cote, 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, brother, Glenn Groustra, sister, June Groustra, sister-in-law, Carole Boers, and nieces and nephews. A great-grandson preceded her in death.