Emmy E. Eleveld

January 12, 1921 - January 6, 2021

Our beloved mother and “Oma” (grandmother) passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 6, 2021, after becoming ill with COVID. Throughout her life, Emmy held strongly to her Christian faith, and is now in her eternal home, in the presence of her Lord and Savior.

Emmy was born to Martinus and Arendje Pronk in Scheveningen, the Netherlands on January 12, 1921. She married John Eleveld in The Hague, the Netherlands, on March 21, 1945, a few short months before the end of World War II. In the later part of the war, the Elevelds were active in the Dutch resistance. She often spoke of the great joy she experienced when her dear country was liberated from German occupation at the end of the war.

In 1953, Emmy and John emigrated from the Netherlands to Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada with their four older children, and were joined by their 5th and youngest child there. A decade later in 1963, they emigrated again, from Ontario to Montclair, California. Throughout these years, Emmy was an adept homemaker, while John worked as a Mold Maker. She was an excellent seamstress, often creating beautiful clothing for herself and her family.

As their children married, and grandchildren and eventually great-grandchildren arrived, Emmy delighted in each and every one, treasuring the times when family was gathered together. She always had a ready smile, and her kind and sweet nature was known to all. Although English was her second language, Emmy routinely finished a daily crossword puzzle, and it was a rare event indeed when anyone could best her at Scrabble. She had a sharp and clever sense of humor, and loved a good joke or funny story.

Emmy and John’s faith was central to their family’s routine and social life, and she was active in her church. For decades, she volunteered in the library of Ontario Christian School, where she enjoyed the camaraderie of working among friends and being “library grandma” to countless schoolchildren. She had many long-standing friendships, very much enjoyed birthdays and social gatherings, and had been looking forward to celebrating her own 100th birthday.

In retirement, the Elevelds enjoyed traveling, and saw much of the United States by taking road trips in their motorhome. They always maintained connections with their Dutch family and loved welcoming guests into their home, where Emmy always was ready to offer a speculaas cookie and fresh coffee. On several occasions, they traveled back to the Netherlands to visit cherished siblings, nieces and nephews. After 40 years in their Montclair home, John and Emmy moved to Inland Christian Home in Ontario, where she lived for 12 years before moving to Fallbrook, California in 2017 to be nearer to one of her daughters.

Emmy is preceded in death by John, her beloved husband of 60 years and whom she remembered daily, as well as her parents, brother and sister. She is survived by her 5 children: Johanne (Rick) Daniels of Hanford CA; Janny (Rick) Ligtenberg of Fallbrook, California; Bart (Jody) Eleveld of Corvallis, Oregon, Maria (John) Los of Florence, Oregon; and Martin (Tong) Eleveld of Bangkok, Thailand. She is also survived by her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held on February 12, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Crosspoint Church, 6950 Edison Ave, Chino

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Draper-Mortuary.com for the Eleveld family.