Elizabeth Kalk

Elizabeth Kalk, age 96, gently slipped away to Jesus on Saturday morning, January 23, 2016, surrounded by family, at the home of her daughter Martha in rural Sheboygan Falls.

Elizabeth (nee Gabrielse) was born on a farm west of Sheboygan Falls on June 22, 1919, to William and Anna (DeSmidt) Gabrielse, one of 9 siblings. She attended grade schools in Town Wilson and Millersville.

As a young woman Elizabeth (also known as Betty) worked as a live-in domestic for families in both Sheboygan and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later was employed at R-Way Furniture Company in Sheboygan as a furniture inspector. During World War II, the company made glider parts for the military, which Elizabeth also inspected.

On October 7, 1949, Elizabeth and Elroy Kalk, of Town Herman, were united in marriage at First Christian Reformed Church, 5th and Geele, in Sheboygan (now Christ Community Church). They raised four children: Cassandra (Sandy), Richard, Martha, and Roger, in the Town of Sheboygan. She and Elroy attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Howards Grove (Elroys childhood church) over the course of their marriage, where Elizabeth served as organist. Elroy worked at Vollrath Company, in the stamping and shipping departments until his death on May 31, 1969.

After moving to the city of Sheboygan in the 1970s, Elizabeth was employed in the housekeeping department of Sheboygan Memorial Hospital, retiring at age 68. During those years, she lived upstairs from her son Roger and his family for 27 years before moving, at the age of 88, into the home of her daughter Martha.

Primarily Elizabeth was a wonderful, much-loved and very loving wife, mother and homemaker who enjoyed gardening (particularly her raspberry patch and pear trees), reading, singing and playing the organ. She was a devout, joy-filled Christian whose highest calling was to influence her family -- children and grandchildren -- for Christ. It is that legacy her family cherishes most. We will miss her more than words can say.

Elizabeth is survived by her children: Cassandra Sandy (David) Heinen, Richard (Robin) Kalk, Martha (Roger) Jensema, and Roger (Julie) Kalk; 10 grandchildren: Amy Kalk, Rebecca (Ryan) Anderson, William (Kelly) Kalk, Michael Heinen, all of Sheboygan, Joel (Stephanie) Heinen of Milwaukee, Bethany and Rachel Kalk, of Omaha, NE, Andrew of Sheboygan, Sarah (Eduardo) Ordonez of Texas, and Melody (Andrew) LaFave of Sheboygan; 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Louise (Kenneth) Van Kuiken of Tinley Park, IL; two sisters-in-law, Audrey Kalk and Loy K (Sis) McFarlane of Sheboygan, and two brothers-in-law, Myron Steffen of Sheboygan, and Jack Verlare of Cleveland, WI.

In addition to her husband, Elroy, she was preceded in death by her five brothers, William, Leonard, Matthew, Lawrence and Marvin, and by two sisters, Marcella (Sally) Tuinstra of Grand Rapids, MI, and Madeline (Mic) Verlare of Cleveland, WI.

Elizabeth was a home hospice patient with Sharon B. Richardson Community Hospice. The family wishes to thank, sincerely, the staff of Sharon B. Richardson for their support and assistance throughout the week of Elizabeths passing.

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 28, 2016, at Ballhorn Funeral Chapels, Sheboygan with visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon, at Ballhorn Chapels. Rev. Larry Meyer, Pastor of Christ Community Church, Elizabeths home church, will officiate. Burial will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in Howards Grove.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in her name for Christ Community Church and W-VCY.

To sign the guestbook, please visit: www.ballhornchapels.com