Elaine Frances Boersma

Elaine Frances (Leet) Boersma, 102, of Kalamazoo Michigan, Joined her husband in heaven, on Friday December 8^th, In her home. She was born on October 30, 1921, The daughter of late Frank Leet and Frances (Myron) Leet.

She was under the loving care of her daughter Jane and caregivers Kim, Sidni, Karrie, Debbie and Sunny as well as Centrica Hospice, who were all so very kind and loving to Elaine. It’s no wonder she lived so long! 

Elaine is survived by Sons James (Linda) Boersma, Jeff (Marilyn) Boersma, Tom (Bea) Boersma, daughters Jane Boersma and Joey Boersma Meara. 8 grandchildren, 6 greats and 2 great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by parents, husband Alfred Donald Boersma, Brothers Bob, Frank Jr, Max, Don and sister Marianne.

Elaine was loved by everyone who knew her! Elaine lived and worked in Kalamazoo and Portage her entire life. Her first job was stringing the guitars at the Gibson guitar factory. Next, she went to work for the UpJohn company. assembling the emergency blood kits that were to be shipped overseas for the soldiers of World War ll. She took many years off to raise her five children and went back to work at Upjohn when her youngest daughter went into kindergarten. She then worked in the animal rearing department where she truly loved her work! 

She was a devout Catholic attending Saint Joseph parish her entire life. For many years she volunteered with funeral dinners as well as washing and pressing the Priest’s Liturgical Vestments.

Elaine was a loving wife to Alfred Donald Boersma, until his passing in 2005. She missed him terribly for eighteen years. Elaine and Al met at a dance just before World War ll. It was a blind date set up by her brother Max. For Al, it was love at first sight, but he had to romance Elaine with deep devotion to win her love and eventually succeeded! Before they married, Al was called to join the Army and went off to war. Elaine patiently waited for him for five long years. Upon his return they were happily married and had five children.

Elaine lost her eyesight to macular degeneration in her 70’s, taking away her independence. Despite this challenge, she never complained a day in her life about anything. She had a great, big loving heart, was always compassionate, generous, fair, nonjudgmental and one of the kindest people you’ll ever know.

Services are as follows; Memorial service at Redmond funeral home at 4100 S. Westnedge in Kalamazoo, on January 22^nd, from 5-7 PM with a rosary at 7 PM.

Funeral service is at St. Joseph Parish at 936 Lake St Kalamazoo. January 23rd at 11:00AM. A luncheon immediately followed is in the gym. 

Burial service is at Fort Custer (No procession) Please arrive on your own promptly at Fort Custer cemetery 15501 Dickman road, Augusta 49012. By 3:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make a small donation to any of the three organizations that Elaine was passionate about: Meals on Wheels 918 Jasper St. Kalamazoo, Centrica Hospice or the school for the blind on 1541 Oakland drive in Kalamazoo.