We are sad to announce that on April 29, 2022 we had to say goodbye to Elaine Mae Gouwens of Thornton, Illinois. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

She was predeceased by : her husband Roger L. Gouwens; her child Christie Rae Gouwens; her sibling Mariella Bertelsen (late Eric); and her parents, Raymond Stegenga and Marie Stegenga.

She is survived by : her children, Lori Reidenga (Jeff) and Larry Gouwens (late Pam); her grandchildren, Kayla Bulthuis (Alex), Benjamin Gouwens (Gina), Karen Blevins (Nick), Jenna Rae Stoit (Jason), Natalie Gouwens (Dave Kolember), Elizabeth Dunwell (Jeremiah) and Dana Kamphuis (Jon); her great grandchildren, Owen Stoit, James Bulthuis, Willa Bulthuis and Alexander Blevins; her brothers, Raymond Stegenga (Sandra) and Randall Stegenga (Lynn); and her siblings-in-law, Nancy and Wayne VanSwol. She is also survived by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Village Free Church or the Sterling Strong Foundation, which helps bring awareness to congenital heart disease and help families whose children are in the PCICU for an extended period of time in honor of Elaine's great-granddaughter, Willa, who is a Heart Warrior living with CHD.

Funeral arrangement under the care of
Smits Funeral Homes Ltd