Doris "Elaine" Klooster

3/3/1934 – 2/9/2023

Elaine was the second child of 6 born to Ernest and Frances Elmore, of Comstock township.  Life was relatively normal for Elaine until one day as she was walking to Merrill Park, planning to play a game of softball, she happened to catch the eye of a young man by the name of Melvin Klooster. Mel, not being overly shy, followed her to the ball diamond and started a conversation with Elaine through the fence of the backstop, as Elaine was the catcher for the team. That conversation led to ice cream after the game and a “friendship” was started.

Fast forward a few years and Mel upon his return from army service renewed his “friendship” with Elaine with a little more determination. It wasn’t long and Mel proposed marriage and Elaine responded with a yes!

Together Mel and Elaine came to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, joined Comstock Christian Reformed Church and were married. They moved into a little house on River Street, directly across from Elaine’s new in-laws.

Their faith was rewarded many times throughout their lives in many different ways. They enjoyed many bountiful harvests in both the celery fields and later in the family business “Klooster Greenhouse”. It was also their faith that held them up when the harvests weren’t so bountiful, learning that it was only by God’s grace that they survived the tough times in their lives.

Elaine enjoyed many things in life like playing softball or volleyball, an occasional game of golf, or playing cards with her parents and siblings. There were also the many vacation trips to the U.P. to a rented cabin on Indian Lake, or the motorhome trips later in life.

Mel and Elaine found that many of their most joyful times involved their ever-expanding family. Starting with 3 sons and their wives, the family has grown to include some 47 members. Sunday coffee time after morning church would find many of these family members packed into their house, for a family tradition that has endured for many years.

Elaine’s life on earth ended just a few days short of her 89th birthday and 69th wedding anniversary, with her husband and children gathered at her bedside where they were able to witness the moment where Elaine left this world to see God face to face and to be reunited with her son who had gone before her.

She will be missed until we meet again.

Elaine is survived by her husband of 68 years, Mel; daughter-in-law, Nancy (Steve-deceased); sons, Mike (Linda) and Don (Sheri); grandchildren, Jason, Lindsey (Dan), Nathan (Ally), Kate (Josh), Michele (Brian), Scott (Irma), Matthew (Andrea), Ben (Kristen) and Elizabeth (Matt); 20 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild with another on the way; sisters, Barbara (Jerry) James and Judy (Doug) Ledbetter; and brother, John (Karen) Elmore. Besides her son Steve, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Tom and Steve.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 11:00 am at Grace Christian Reformed Church 1724 Whites Rd. Kalamazoo, MI 49008 with visitation from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the church. Immediately following the service will be a luncheon at the church. Interment will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Christian Schools or Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, in Elaine’s memory. To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com