It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Elsie Katherine Craig on December 5, 2024, in Zephyrhills, Florida, just days before her 97th birthday. Born on December 9, 1927, in Ferrysburg, Michigan, to Ananias Lilse Van Vleet and Bernice May Kuck, Elsie lived a long and fulfilling life marked by love, family, and faith.

Elsie was a devoted wife, first to Erval Ten Brink, with whom she shared over 50 years of marriage, and later to Robert "Buddy" Craig. She was a nurturing mother to her five children, a cherished grandmother to 21 grandchildren, a beloved great-grandmother to 51, and a proud great-great-grandmother to 16. Her family was her greatest joy, and her legacy lives on in their hearts and lives.

Elsie had a dynamic career that included roles as an assembly line worker for General Electric, a waitress, a telephone operator, and an agent at a Greyhound bus station. Wherever she worked, she brought her remarkable work ethic and vibrant personality.

Her hobbies reflected her curious and disciplined nature. She loved reading, completing crosswords, and was known for her elegant penmanship. An avid shopper and jewelry enthusiast, Elsie also prioritized her faith, being an active member of Double Branch Baptist Church and its Busy Bees group. If the church doors were open, Elsie was there.

Elsie's love for her family knew no bounds. Her home was always open, a haven for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren Jamie and Jodi fondly remember her babysitting sessions and meticulous housekeeping, even enlisting them to scrub grout with toothbrushes as teenagers! One time while Gordon and Paula were dating, they came home past curfew, the next morning Elsie barged into the Bing household and started yelling that they needed to keep Paula away from Gordon, Mrs. Bing replied by telling her that Paula doesn't drive. Her devotion extended beyond family to friends, including her dear friends Judy and Bob Williams, her Busy Bee companions, and her nursing roommate, Martha Short.

Elsie is survived by her children Gordon Ten Brink (Paula), Marsha Barany, Joyce Owens (William), Bruce Ten Brink (Peggy), and Gerrit Ten Brink (Joan), along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. She was predeceased by her parents Ananias and Bernice Van Fleet, her siblings Leroy Van Vleet and Lula Van Vleet, her daughter Rhonda Ten Brink, and stepdaughter Bobbie Swetland.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home in Dade City, Florida. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 p.m., with interment at Floral Memory Garden in Dade City. A reception will be held afterward at Victory Baptist Church in Zephyrhills, Florida.

Elsie will be remembered for her strength, devotion, and the love she poured into her family and community. She leaves behind a legacy of faith and family that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Rest in peace, Elsie. You are deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.