Elaine Ruth Ter Avest

How do you capture the essence of someone in just a few words? One life-long friend has summed up our mom perfectly… “She was quite a gal!” Elaine was stylish, kind, fun, generous, fair, dedicated, firm, and joyful. She had a quick wit and often laughed until tears ran down her face. Elaine was passionate about family, near and far. She loved her road trip adventures and loved hearing about the adventures of others. Elaine worked hard and expected others to do the same. Both at home and at work, a positive attitude was a valued life skill and complaining a waste of time. She was a natural leader… leading the way in love, effort, tolerance, creativity, and enjoyment.

Elaine’s early years were spent in Blissfield, Michigan before moving to the family farm in Overisel, Michigan at nine years old. Elaine married Don Ter Avest in 1951… the beginning of 49 years together before Don’s passing in July 2000. In 1958, Don and Elaine planned a move to Thornton, Colorado. Don traveled ahead of the family to start his new job, but Elaine soon donned her dress, gloves, high heels, and lipstick to board the train to Denver with her three young children in tow. In 1964, their fourth child was born to 5 parents total (2 real parents and 3 siblings who thought they should have a say)! Elaine blended a busy home life with a professional career. In 2007, she retired at 75 years old after 41 years as the accounting manager at North Suburban Medical Center. Post retirement, Elaine filled her time with family activities, car travel, knitting, and creating treasured photo books and family history albums.

Elaine is preceded in death by her husband, Don; parents, Harvey and Ruth Kollen; and brother, Wendell Kollen. She is survived by her four children: Jeff Ter Avest (Tammy); Sandy Rice; Kelly Ter Avest (Laurie); and Kris Vitgenos (Lee); 11 grandchildren: Jacob (Erin), Erich (Stephanie), Elana, Kollen (Melissa), Alyson (Joel), Kelly, Alicia (Tony), Sarah (Tony), Gina, Kyler, and Addy; and 4 great-grand children: Celeste, Vincent, Skyler, Layla, and a fifth due in January; sisters Barbara Rabuck (Don) and Anita Nyhuis (Terry); sister-in-law Gayle Kollen; and many nieces and nephews.

So much love given, so much love still.