Harold James Elenbaas passed away November 16, 2020 at age 90.
He was born in Lucas, Michigan, November 29, 1929. Harold was the beloved husband of the late Patricia for 68 years, loving father of Nancy (Pat) Malarney, Janet (Ramsey) Vincent, Mark (Sharon) Elenbaas, Sandy (Brian) James and Judy (Darryl) Paputa and the proud and loving grandfather of Jaclyn Spaulding, Amy Spaulding, Eric (Aly) Wallace, Greg (Walfre) Elenbaas, Barbara Elenbaas, Brian James, Tim (Lizzie) James, Tanner James, Bryce Paputa and Lindsey Paputa. He was the adoring great-grandfather of Rylee, Benjamin, Emily and Charlotte. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Joanie and step-brother, Ken.
Harold was preceded in death by parents Richard and Ottile Elenbaas, step-mother Ann Bekken, brothers Marvin, Arthur, Clayton, Gordon, Wilbur and Raymond, sisters Edith and Dorothy and step siblings, Edward, Gertrude and Francis.
Harold was a devoted family man and a dedicated member of the community. He began his career as a teacher of Agriculture and then became the Superintendent of Schools in Farwell and then in Otsego for 24 years. He was a member of the Otsego United Methodist Church where he was active on the finance committee, played organ and sang in the choir.
He served in the Army where some friends convinced him to go to college at Michigan State, earning his Bachelors, Masters and EDS degrees. He was a true Michigan State Spartan Fan, enjoyed playing cards and was an avid golfer. Always a family man, he took care of his beloved wife who was ill for 15 years.
Due to covid -19 restrictions a private family funeral service for immediate family will be held. The service will be streamed on Otsego United Methodist Church website and Facebook page available Saturday, November 21, 2020 at 11:00 A.M.
Burial will take place at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego. A celebration of life will be held at a later, safer date.
In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Harold may be made to the Otsego United Methodist Church or to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Fred & Sue Bosma
We send our deepest sympathy , love and comfort to all of Harold’s Family! We Will certainly miss him and all of his stories, teasing humor , his loyalty to his friends and neighbors and so much more. We are so thankful for God’s wonderful gift to have such special neighbors in Harold and Pat!❤️
Susan Venen Bock
Sandy and family,
My deepest sympathy to you. He was a great man, and the greatest tribute to him is his family. That living legacy continues.
Susan Venen-Bock
Bill Standish
What a great man Harold was. He touched the hearts of everyone who knew him and his wonderful smile. My wife Brenda worked with him at Otsego schools and really loved and respected him.
Ray & Jane Bomeli & Family
We will certainly miss our neighbor and fellow MSU grad. Many conversations took place in the yard discussing the joys and woes of Spartan athletics. My father was an Agriculture teacher at the same time and the two of them were MATVA (agriculture teacher’s association) officers together. I still remember attending summer meetings with the Elenbaas family. Harold was a true friend and a great role model. My five children have fond memories of living across the street since 1986. Please know that our prayers are with the family and that God will give you all comfort in the days ahead.
Lloyd Clawson
Harold was serious golfer and I enjoyed playing in his foursome. He was a Hardings coffee group member and was fun to talk with.
We will miss his good humor.
Lloyd & Louise Clawson
We will miss Harold and his good talks. Our condolence to the family.
Hi
Ken & Linda Richardson
Harold hired me in 1971 as a high school speech and drama teacher right out of college.
He was a great mentor and we have many fond memories of his time in Farwell.
Condolences to the family.
Bryon & Kandy Campbell
What wonderful man who loved life and was always caring. He was a fixture in O-Town and will be greatly missed.
Katherine Wells
My sentiments excatley. So many stories way too many to pick a favorite. Prayers for all of you. You can find comfort in knowing your Parents are together again and neither are in pain anymore
Nancy Schofield
My sincere condolences to the Harold & Pat Elenbaas family from the Larry Schofield family. Your family was truly a wonderful asset to the Farwell School District and the Farwell United Methodist Church. We were privileged to have known & cared for you all.
Andrea Estelle
The Otsego District Library staff will deeply miss Harold and we are heartbroken to hear Harold is no longer with us. He visited us on an almost weekly basis and loved to sit by the fireplace at the library and read the newspaper. He was such a refreshing and lovely spirit and always had a friendly smile and time to chat. He often complimented us on various happenings at the library and was a great encourager of our work. What a great loss to our community and we send our sincerest condolences to all Harold’s friends and family, may he Rest In Peace. He was a dear and wonderful soul and we truly enjoyed knowing him. Sincerely, Andrea Estelle Otsego District Library Director
Diane DeVries
Harold was one of my favorite patrons at the Otsego Library. He always had a smile and kind words to share. We will miss seeing him sitting by the fireplace reading the newspaper. He was a great man.
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
We are so sorry for your family’s loss of Harold. He was a great guy and always had a smile on his face. We just saw him a week or so ago at Harding’s. Before the pandemic, we would see him at Coffee, either at Burger King or McDonalds. He was usually just coming from working out at the gym and said that after he had his coffee, he would be going to visit his wife at Vicinia Gardens and help her eat her breakfast and then later in the day for other meals as well. He certainly was a very attentive husband and all of you can be very, very proud of him, that’s for sure. 🙂 We will miss him alot and are so glad that we got to see him so recently as we had not seen him in months. I saw him in the check out line, he was ahead of me, and I told him Jerry was out in the car and to wave to him when he walked by and he said OK. . When I got out there, he was at our car and talking to Jerry. 🙂 Our most sincere thoughts and sympathy are with your family. Please take care and know that lots of people are keeping you in their thoughts right now.
Cassee S
I saw Harold regularly when he would make his daily visits to see Pat at Vicinia Gardens where we helped take care of her. Even after she passed, Harold still would come and drop us off donuts, come play piano for the other residents to enjoy. When covid hit, Harold STILL came to see all us girls and bring goodies. What an honor to know Pat and Harold. Wonderful people who will be deeply missed.
Terry & Jeanette Robinson
Judy, with deepest sympathy we express our sadness for the loss of your dad. All our prayers & thoughts are with you & your family. May he rest in peace. Great life. God Bless.
Charlene Vogt
We lived across the street from the Elanbassa family while the kids were all very young… a little younger than us. Mr Elenbaas was one of the coaches at our school in Fowlerville Michigan. Our parents, Lyle and Eunice Vogt maintained their friendship even after the family left Fowlerville. I remember everyone as being kind, energetic, and thoughtful. What a wonderful person to have graced this earth.
John & Diane Glessner
Dear Elenbaas family,
It is sooo obvious from all the condolences here how Harold touched so many lives. He had a heart of gold and was so attentive to his Pat and her needs. He loved his family and church and always made you feel cared about. We will miss him and send our heartfelt prayers and love your way.
John and Diane Glessner
Jim Pavelka
So sorry to hear of Harold’s passing. He was a wonderful man and educator. Great memories of our golfing trips to French Lick. Will never forget the help he gave me as a rookie superintendent.
John and Mary Leland
We will miss Harold as a neighbor and a school leader. He was a man who loved his family and was devoted to Pat’s care. In his roll as superintendent, he led us through some very tough economic times. He was a leader who cared for the staff and stuck to his word when he gave it. But most of all he was a good man who made our community a better place to be for generations.
Diane mcPherson
To the Elenbass family
My deepest sympathy, Harold was a gracious man I enjoyed talking with him when he visited my dad ,Bud DeGood.
He would play hymns on my dads organ for him when he was no longer able to.
Prayers
Necole Yaw
Harold use to bring Pat in the salon to get her hair done. We so enjoyed our time talking about sports and of course MSU. He was a great human and took such good care of her.
GO GREEN!
Kim H
Thank you Harold for shining your light on us at Vicinia Gardens. Although we didn’t know you long; your kindness, smiles & music touched us all. You are missed very much. Lord bless you & keep you until we meet again.