Elna M. Secord's Obituary
Mrs. Elna Marie (Petersen) Secord (95), formerly of Muskegon, MI, passed away September 23, 2010, in Colorado Springs where she had resided for the past 6 years. Elna was famous for and generous with her coffee cakes, pies, and pastries and spent thousands of hours volunteering for several organizations in the Muskegon area. Elna was born on July 8, 1915 in Ludington, MI to George R. and Thora Petersen. She was a 50-year member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Muskegon, a 50-year member and past regent of Catholic Daughter’s of America, Muskegon Court #599, and a 30-year member of Independent Order of Vikings, the Linne Lodge No. 57. Elna married her soul mate, John J. Secord on November 9, 1940, in Muskegon and they enjoyed 54 years of heavenly partnership until October 24, 1994, when John passed away. Survivors include her daughter, Marijane (Daniel F.) Balaskovits; two grandchildren, Rebecca (Heath) Cornella and Travis (Tracey) Balaskovits, all of Colorado Springs, CO; three great-grand children (Jennifer Dalton and Sterling Dalton of Colorado Springs and Tyler Balaskovits of El Dorado Hills, CA); and one great, great grandchild, Kadence, also of Colorado Springs. Elna is also survived by her brother Frank R. Petersen and her sister Catherine Tomzak, both of Ludington, and a sister, Darleen Yaskanin, of Grand Blanc, MI, and many wonderful nieces and nephews all over the U.S. Elna was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband; a brother, George R. Petersen; and a sister, Madelyn Mansfield. Services will be held on Thursday, September 30 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Muskegon with visitation at 11 a.m. followed by a mass at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Elna’s name to Mount Saint Francis Nursing Center (MSFNC), Attn: Vivian Booker, 7550 Assisi Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Contributions will support activities for residents and awards for staff members. You may sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by
The Walburn Chapel
Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc.
1547 W. Sherman Blvd.
(231) 759-8565
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