Kathleen Lynn Van Elk

Kathy Lynn Van Elk, 65, of Elkhart passed away at her home surrounded by her family on Friday, November 18, 2022. Kathy was born on August 6, 1957 in Kalamazoo, MI to William “Bud” and Elaine Brouwer. She married Jim M. Van Elk on May 27, 1977 at North Park Reformed Church in Kalamazoo: he preceded her in death on May 7, 2006. She married Dan Schroeder on February 13, 2010 at River Oaks Community Church in Elkhart, IN.

Kathy graduated from Western Michigan University. She retired in May 2022 after 27 years as a kindergarten teacher from Concord Eastside Elementary School. She enjoyed filling her beautiful flower beds with a special assortment from her friends at Tuinier Brothers Greenhouse in Kalamazoo. To her family she was the best wife, mom, sister and the only “Geela” to her grandchildren.

Kathy is survived by her husband Dan; her mom  Elaine Brouwer of Elkhart; her children, Rebecca (Aaron) Gardner of Goshen, IN., Billy (Kimberly) Van Elk of Granger, IN., Steven (Jennifer) Van Elk of Noblesville, IN., Theresa (Josh) Long of Goshen, IN., and Joshua (Hanna) Van Elk of Cincinnati, OH; grandchildren Iain, Ellie, Evelyn, Jamsie, Nora, Andy, Olivia, Adrienne, Juliet and Adelaide; her siblings Dick (Debi) Brouwer, Linda (Larry) Vander Klok, Patti (Tom) Szuminski, and Jimmy (Anne) Brouwer. She was also a beloved Angel mama to her stepchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, William "Bud" Brouwer.

Visitation will be from 4-6pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46541. A celebration of Kathy’s life will be held at 12 pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 with visitation one hour before services at Union Center Church of the Brethren, 70535 CR 11, Nappanee, IN 46550  where Rev. Frank Ramirez will officiate. Burial will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Goshen. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Kathy may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 252 Danny Thomas Place,  Memphis, TN 38105 www.stjude.org Online condolences may be made to her family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com