Elsie L. Belder

Elsie L. Belder, age 92, of Thornton, Illinois passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 with her loving family at her side. Elsie was born in Chicago, daughter of the late James and Mary Hayden, immigrants of Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Before moving to the Roseland area of Chicago, she grew up on a farm in New Lenox. As a young lady, in the Roseland area, she met the love of her life, Donald Belder. Donald a recently discharged World War II Navy vet courted her and they married in 1953. Don and Elsie celebrated 70 years of marriage on April 25, 2023, Donald passed away May 12, 2023. Elsie and Don are now reunited back together in eternity. She is the beloved mother to Sandra (Mark) Botterman, Donald (the late Karen Lawrence) Belder and Sherry (Ken) Drapeau; proud grandmother to Jessica (Ben) Sroka, Taytum (Pete) Bultema, Justin (Lyndsie) Drapeau, the late Dylan Drapeau, Mark (Noi) Botterman, Christopher (Audrey) Botterman, Jent Botterman, Britt (Mihiri Ukuwela) Botterman and Darcey Drapeau; great-grandmother to Ethan, Khodi, Elyse, Haley, Caelin, Everett, Oliver, Effie, Evangeline, Gates, Micah, Mark, Bailey, and Lila: cherished sister to the late Clara (the late George) Teeling, the late Marge Bouchard, the late Marian Dorothy Hayden, the late Marion (the late Tony) Lenti, and the late James Hayden; aunt and friend to many. Elsie retired after 25 years of dedicated of service at Sears and Roebucks in the River Oaks Mall in Calumet City. The job she held dearest to her heart was being the mother and homemaker to her family. Elsie and Don attended for many years Village Church of South Holland, now in Dyer. She enjoyed traveling to all the area festivals and fairs, where she loved to hunt for little treasures. She enjoyed spending time with her family and attended all her grandchildren and great grandchildren's events. Elsie especially enjoyed hosting holidays for her large extended family, Fourth of July will be her signature holiday. She will always be remembered for her amazing positive attitude even until the end. Her family is reassured that her husband and grandson were waiting in heaven to welcome her, which her deep faith believed. Visitation will be Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 9:30 am until the time of her funeral at 11:30 am at Kuiper Funeral Home (9039 Kleinman Rd.; Highland, IN 46322). She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Don, at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.