Elaine Bell

Elaine Brown Bell of Rapid City, Michigan passed away January 17th peacefully in Grand Rapids Michigan. She was born on May 23, 1924, at home in Cass City Michigan to Cecil U. and Mary (Burt) Brown.

Elaine married William (Bill) Bell on January 14th, 1956. Elaine and Bill were able to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary together just days before Elaine’s passing.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Bill and three children – Dan (wife Jennifer) Bell of Caledonia, MI; Barbara Bell of Nashville, TN; and Jim (wife Kelly) Bell of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by nine grandchildren – Danny Bell, Michael Bell, Bobby Bell, Jamie Bell, Mary (Bell) Albrecht, Brian Bell, Stephanie Bell, David Kirschbaum and Kim Anh Kirschbaum; with her first great grandchild on the way.

Elaine was preceded in death by her sisters Ruth Jean Quinn and Mary Kay McDonald and brother Ken Brown. She is survived by sister Sharon Evans of Clayton, NC.

Following high school, Elaine attended business school and then completed the cadet nurse training program during WWII with training at Harper Hospital in Detroit. She remembered those years fondly keeping in touch with her close classmates whom she called “The Harper Gals”. She worked many years as a registered nurse around the state, finally retiring from nursing at the Traverse City State Hospital in 1986. Elaine and Bill retired to their cottage on Torch Lake, wintering in Alabama and Florida prior to settling into the independent living apartment where Bill continues to reside.

Elaine’s faith in Christ was established at an early age and remained strong throughout her life. Elaine was a member of Alden Methodist Church in Alden, Michigan.

Elaine is remembered for her knitting skills, her hospitality at her cottage on Torch Lake, and her faith in the Lord. Through 65 years of marriage, decades as a nurse including during periods of Polio and TB epidemics, and years of raising three children, Elaine was a family rock who worried about and served others first.

To honor Elaine’s wishes, no services will be held. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been handled by the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.