- Date Of Birth: April 13, 1926
- Date Of Death: October 3, 2021
- State: Michigan
Elaine Ruth (Hancock) Bruinsma, age 95 of Canadian Lakes, passed away Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Royal View Retirement Community. She was born April 13, 1926 in Grand Rapids to Elien (Olson) and William H. Hancock. Elaine attended school in Grand Rapids, graduating from Creston High School in 1944. On April 10, 1947 she married her high school sweetheart Robert S. Bruinsma.
In February 1961 Bob and Elaine moved to Big Rapids and opened a men’s clothing store – Towne & Country Men’s Shop – and in 1978 they added a ladies shop – Towne & Country for Her. They worked together with Elaine as a bookkeeper and office manager as well as a buyer for the ladies shop until closing the store in December of 1993. After retirement they moved to Canadian Lakes where they have lived since.
Elaine enjoyed music, bridge, sewing and golf. She was a member of The United Church of Big Rapids and sang in the church choir for more than 45 years. Elaine was also a member of the Big Rapids Arts Chorale and the Mecosta County Medical Center Auxiliary serving as treasurer and president, the Canadian Lakes Melody Makers and C L Players.
Elaine enjoyed most of all her beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her three children, Robert Douglas Bruinsma, Beth (Robert) Noe, and Wendy Oertling; grandchildren, Allison Noe Lustig, Adam Noe, Jessica Bruinsma, Elana Bruinsma, Jonathan “Jack” Bruinsma, Christopher Oertling, and Shawn Oertling; great-grandchildren, Alex, Jillian, Elle and Haley; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert S. in 2019, brother William E. Hancock, son-in-law Donald J. Oertling, and step-father J.A. Quiggle.
