Donald Elzinga

Donald Norman Elzinga, much loved husband, father, and grandfather, died Aug 30, 2022. He was born April 27, 1930, to Clarence and Lettie (Albrecht) Elzinga in Grand Rapids, MI. They moved to Coopersville, MI and later to Kalamazoo, MI when Don was in the 8th grade. While in high school he met and fell in love with a special young lady at church. Don and Ann (Hoebeke} were married in 1953 and shared 68 wonderful years of marriage until Ann's death in Jan 2022. Their marriage was a testimony of love and commitment. And a great model to family and friends of what it means to love each other "for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until we are parted by death." Don graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1948. He served for 2 years as an Army MP, all stateside, during the Korean war. He graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology earning a BS in printing management. Don was a printer at his core and cherished the printed word. This led to a 30 year career in the printing department at The Upjohn Co. Don was a faithful member of several churches over his 92 years: Second Reformed, Greenwood Reformed, Bread of Life, Galesburg United Methodist and currently, Third Christian Reformed. He knew he had been greatly blessed and took to heart Jesus' call to serve. To this end, volunteering took on even greater focus following his retirement. Teaching Sunday school, serving as an elder, doing prayer ministry, mentoring for Kids Hope USA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Next Door, Prison Fellowship, Vineyard Outreach, Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo, Loaves and Fishes, the Gospel Mission, and Friendship Village. Their commitment earned Ann and Don recognition as Volunteer Family of the year in 1986. Don and Ann raised 4 children: Keith (who died at age 15), Paul (Mary Knight), Sue Hart, and Douglas (Pamela Lancaster). Don is also survived by his brothers: Robert and Ken; and grandchildren Rachel, Rebecca, Mary Leigh (Kuipers), Emma, and Elena; and great grandchildren Andrew (Ashley) Kuipers, Abigail (Richard) Gricus, and Alexander Kuipers. He loved his children and was grateful they could be forgiving of his parenting mistakes. Don loved his family, and all of us will miss his goofy humor, his transparency about his faith and doubts, his willingness to admit he was wrong and ask forgiveness, and the many visible expressions he gave us of his love. His children won't miss his lectures, but they will miss the opportunity to kid him about them! His granddaughters would all like to say, "Gotcha last, Grandpa!" Above all, Don considered himself to be one of God's rescued sinners who felt unworthy of his salvation, but grateful for Jesus' Amazing Grace. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery. A service to celebrate Don's life will take place at a later date. Updated service information can be found at https://www.langelands.com Memorials in his honor may be made to The Open Doors (1141 S. Rose St, Ste 3, Kalamazoo, MI 49001), Centrica Care Navigators-Hospice (7100 Stadium Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009), or the Employees Appreciation Fund at Friendship Village (1400 N. Drake Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49006). "In His presence there is fullness of joy." (Ps 16:11)