Elaine R. Oostra

Elaine R. Oostra, nee Vander Meyden, age 88, of Munster, IN, went home to her Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Beloved wife of Peter Oostra. Loving mother of Lori (Mark) Verduin and Val Rietveld. Cherished grandmother of Stephanie (John) Rumbuc, Jennifer (Keith) DeYoung, Josh (Renee) Rietveld, and the late Kelly Rietveld. Great-grandmother of Alyssa, Holland, Anna, Avalyn, and Austin. Dear sister of the late William (Gertrude) Vander Meyden, late Don (late Trudy) Vander Meyden, late Connie (late Tom) Woodnorth, and the late John Vander Meyden.

Elaine and Pete met during their freshmen year at Illiana Christian High School. Elaine was funny, spunky, and bright – a perfect complement to Pete’s kind and gentle demeanor. The two were inseparable, not doing anything without the other. Loyal and entirely devoted to one another, they loved each other completely and selflessly for 71 years of marriage.

Nature, birds, and the smoky mountains of Tennessee were a shared love of theirs and they ventured on many happy family vacations in Gatlinburg with their children and grandchildren.

Elaine’s family finds comfort in the knowledge of her salvation. She was welcomed into heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was reunited with her family and loved ones. She has passed from death to life and they look forward to the day they will see her again.

A private family graveside service will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery—Lansing, IL. Memorial contributions may be given to the Arbor Foundation (arborday.org) or Illiana Christian School (illianachristian.org).

For further information please contact 219-322-7300 or visit our online guestbook and obituary at www.SMITSFH.com