Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....VanLaanen, Elaine Delma (Nickel) November 28, 2023 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patricia Currigan currigan1932@concast.net May 20, 2024, 8:23 pm Hasting's Reminder - Sat. December 16, 2023 Elaine Delma VanLaanen Elaine Delma (Nickel) VanLaanen of Lake Odessa passed away peacefully to her heavenly home on November 28, 1023 at the age of 85, following a decline in health that began with a stroke in 2015. Elaine was known by many in the Lakewood community as "Mrs.VanLaanen", as she was a kindergarten, second grade,DK, and third grade teacher.her future son-in- law Mark was even a student in her kindergarten class. Elaine was born on January 17, 1938, the second of Ida and Ben Nickel's four children. The family lived in Moran, MI and Elaine attended school in a one-room schoolhouse in Gros Cap. They later moved to St.Ignace where Elaine attended high school and was elected class president.She was on a secretarial track and worked at a law office during high school.Her employers saw potential in her and encouraged her to attend college, and she did, attending Norther Michigan University. At the beginning of her sophomore year at Northern, she met the love of her life, Ward (Arch) VanLaanen. Her bright smile in a dimly lit auditorium caught his eye and they dated for the next three years. Soon after graduating they were married, started their family, moved to Lake Odessa, where they lived the rest of their lives. Mrs.VanLaanen was well suited for her role as an elementary school teacher except for one area of weakness-her fear of operating the film projector (or any electronics.) She enjoyed the camaraderie of her fellow teachers and cared about each of her students.She was a so proud of one class that accommodated her when she lost her voice due to laryngitis. The usually boisterous kids were very quiet so they could hear her whispered instruction. Elaine was a stickler and admitted stick-in-the-mud at times, but when coerced to leave her comfort zone she enjoyed herself and was fun to be around.If she got happy news, like when she learned she was going to be a grandma, she responded with an alarming outburst and a big smile. She could not resist talking to people and was easily snagged by clerks offering perfume samples, much to the dismay of companions that looked back and wondered where she had gone. She enjoyed being Arch's second half and , in with him even tried fly fishing. She enjoyed camping in their Air Stream trailer and always managed to make elaborate meals for her family, despite their preference for something cooked on a stick over the campfire. She cherished spending time with friends and family, especially her grandkids and two brothers and sister. Elaine is survived by her children, Vicki (Mark) Erickson, Elizabeth (Uli) Baecker, grandchildren, Kyle (Stephanie) Erickson, Natalie (Cody) Deatsman, and Alex(Megan) Erickson; great-grandchildren, Layla, Grady, Sloan & warren Erickson and Grayson and Saylor Deatsman; brother, Gary Nickel; brother-in-law, Duane Gamble; sister-in-law, Judy Nickel; many nieces, nephews and special, longtime friend, Elaine Garlock. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Ward; infant son, Dewayne; sister Dorothy Gamble; brother, Delbert and sisters and brothers-in-law. Thank You to Wayne and Patti Pumford of the former Cornerstone Assisted Living, who provided guidance and exceptional care for Elaine for sic years following her stroke, the staff of Thornapple Manor's Mill Pond Point Wing and Cottage who cared for her for two years, and friends and family that stayed close as Elaine's health declined. A celebration of Elaine's life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lakewood elementary School (LES) Media Center, to help fund special programs and activities centered around students, their families and early literacy, a cause that was near and dear to her heart. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/obits/v/vanlaane47866nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.4 Kb