Jerri Elsinga

Jerri Rochelle (Muehlenbeck) Elsinga, age 81, of Saugatuck, Michigan, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Monday, June 10, 2024. She was born December 8, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Charles and Dorothy (Krivan) Muehlenbeck. Jerri graduated from Fennville High School with the class of 1961. She went on to receive her Bachelors degree from Hope College. Jerri worked many years as a social worker for the Department of Social Services of Ottawa Co. Jerri was intense in her quest to help people and lift up those less fortunate. She loved to dance and sing and was a member of the Lakeshore Community Chorus. She enjoyed photography as a hobby and spent hours getting that perfect shot of Lake Michigan where she lived and the beautiful flowers that flourished in her sister's garden. Jerri was one of the first volunteers for the Mason Street Warehouse (now the SCA) and helped co-ordinate the first Douglas Socials with an energy and zest that was part of her signature personality. Jerri will be missed by her two daughters, Doreen (Brent) Tubergen and Tatia Ryan; grandchildren, Chelsea (fiancée, Dylan Holgate) Petroelje, Nathan (fiancé, Annie Wysopal) Tubergen, and Payton, Logan, and Kendyl Ryan; great-granddaughters, Haisley and Breklyn Petroelje; sister, Joy Muehlenbeck and so many extended family members and friends. Jerri was preceded in death by the love of her life, John Darling and her parents. A celebration of life will take place Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at 3358 Palmer Drive, Saugatuck, MI, 49453. Donations can be made in Jerri's memory to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at lls.org or Hospice of Holland (click the links below to donate online) The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hospice of Holland and the dear friends and family who loved, supported and provided compassionate care to Jerri and her family throughout this difficult time. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jerri’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory or photo, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerri Elsinga, please visit our flower store.