Elaine C. Temple's Obituary
Elaine Claire Temple, of Holton, Michigan, passed away on January 17, 2025, at the age of 94. Elaine was born on March 24, 1930, to Vincent and Gladys Nordstrom in Detroit, MI. Graduating from Southeastern High School, Detroit, she was an active member of Kercheval EUB Church, where she met her husband, Gerald. As a youth, she spent summers working on a farm near the Nordstrom homestead of Bishop Hill, Illinois, the beloved Swedish settlement. Out of high school, she worked for Michigan Bell, and would later be a team-member at G. Temple Associates. She married Gerald Temple in Detroit on August 26, 1949. Together they raised six children, Karen, Debrah, Beth, Duane, David, and Gerald Jr. in various homes in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.
Elaine and Gerald were always members of the First United Methodist Church, at each of their locations, as choir members and active laypeople. Most recently a member of Ocala West UMC, the friendships made through both Ferndale First UMC and Nardin Park UMC in Michigan lasted a lifetime. A lover of travel, Elaine and family often took camping trips throughout Michigan, the East Coast, Florida, and points west including Colorado. An avid sailor, Elaine was an active copilot with Gerald on the Great Lakes, and as a couple they enjoyed motorcycle touring throughout the region. Amongst other travels abroad, European trips were made with the Nardin Park UMC choir. From the early 2000s, Elaine and Gerald divided their year between homes in Ocala, FL, and Republic, MI, restoring a home-cabin on the Michigamme River in the UP, already a favorite destination for the extended family.
Elaine remained an avid reader throughout her life, often enjoying several books within a single week, and she was a quiet master of crossword puzzles and other word games. One of four, tight-knit Nordstrom sisters, she helped to continue their Swedish heritage through reunions in Bishop Hill, IL, sharing special recipes and literature with a long tradition in the family, and even taking a trip to Sweden. Unwavering as a loving, supportive mother, there is a span of 18 years from her oldest to youngest child. Always a joyful and serene spirit, Elaine seemed to spread laughter and love with an effortless, humble grace.
Preceded in death by her son Gerald Jr. in 2014, and husband, Gerald Sr. in 2021, Elaine is survived by her children Karen, Debrah (James), Beth (Charles), Duane (Gaylene), David (Helene Nicole), 8 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a very recent great-great-grandchild.
A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, April 12, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church, 22331 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, MI 48220. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Ocala West UMC (ocalawestumc.com) and the Bishop Hill Heritage Society (bishophillheritage.org).
Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 (231) 726-5210
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