Eldred "Ellie" J. Bazuin

Ellie has gone to be with her Lord following a life of faithful service and a long goodbye.

She was the firstborn to a loving couple on a dairy farm in East Friesland, WI where she spent her happy youth among friends and family. She met her beloved husband “Archie” at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. He was a pre seminary student and she was working on a teacher’s certificate. They were married 74 years and raised three children. Together they served many churches in Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, and Indiana. They hosted countless guests in their home and traveled the world. Ellie’s words of encouragement and love of people brought them many close friends whom she truly cherished.

Ellie loved her role as mother and enjoyed “keeping house”. Beautiful rooms, delicious meals, clean clothes and an encouraging word for her family were her trademarks. She was privileged to have leadership roles such as Munster Church Coffee Break bible study director and leader and Cedar Lake “Ladies Day” event planner. A student at heart she loved to write about her life experiences and read about a variety of subjects. She also enjoyed teaching the Village Woods memory writing class and published the Village Woods Fairways newsletter when they retired to Crete, IL.

Ellie is survived by her faithful in-laws Nancy (Lee) Jansma and Duke (Marilyn) Bazuin, and by her children whom she treasured, Dan (Teresea) Bazuin, Lou Anne (Bart) Sybenga and Mary (Rich) Doornbos. She loved and was loved by her grandchildren and their spouses Monique (Tom) Levesque, Nick (Melanie) Doornbos, Chad (Lisa) Doornbos, Lindsey (Justin) Lagestee, Nicole Bazuin, Alex (Annalee) Doornbos. Her great grandchildren gave her great joy: Chase Levesque, Chloe Levesque, Leah Doornbos, Nora Doornbos, Violet Doornbos, Shane Doornbos, Walter Lagestee, Ian Doornbos, Evelyn Lagestee, Lyra Doornbos, Olivia Doornbos, Florence Lagestee and Dawson Doornbos. She was thankful for her many nieces and nephews in Wisconsin and Michigan.

She was preceded in death by many loved ones: her dear husband Lugene A. Bazuin (Archie), her parents Anna and Louis Jansma, sister Betty and brother-in-law Jack Smedema, brother Lee (Nancy) Jansma, brothers and sisters-in-law: Bill and Joann Bazuin, Wilma and Don De Young, Marilyn (Duke) Bazuin, infant son Thomas Lee Bazuin, infant grandson Samuel Aslan Doornbos.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, July 12, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. at Munster Church, 214 Ridge Road, Munster, IN, with Rev. Jim Hollendoner officiating. Interment Munster Christian Reformed Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the burial. Memorial contributions may be given to Roseland Christian Ministries (www.roselandchristianministries.org) or Lansing Christian School (www.lansingchristian.org)

Arrangements entrusted to Smits Funeral Home – Dyer, IN. For further information please contact 219-322-7300 or visit our online guestbook and obituary at www.SMITSFH.com