Erna "Elaine" Dulyea

Erna Elaine Dulyea, age 80, passed away on February 13, 2026, in Muskegon, Michigan. Elaine was born to Archie and Erna (Ruck) White in Bad Humburg, Germany, on December 18, 1946. Elaine earned her high school diploma from Whitehall High School and attended school to become a licensed cosmetologist.

Elaine met the man of a lifetime and never let go. Elaine, in her polka dot blouse, captured Kenneth's eye from the moment they met, and they were like Velcro from then on. They were married on September 23, 1971, and spent 55 years together, during which they raised Elaine's most precious works of art, Robert, Teresa, Steven, and Barbara. Elaine celebrated, loved, and supported all of her children and grandchildren in their journeys through life. She cherished times of rocking babies to sleep and lavishing her love on her new bright lights of hope and wonder. She wished for her children and grandchildren every great thing in life, most of all contentment and happiness. Elaine was fierce in her love for her children, grandchildren, and all those whom she held close to her.

Those in Elaine's life were blessed by her enthusiasm, artfulness, and protection. She took great joy and pride in celebrating the accomplishments of her loved ones. Cooking for and feeding her herd was her signature act of love. Her family fondly recalls her washing broccoli with her grandbabies and stuffing them all until they felt like they could pop. She was an entertainer who had a keen ability for telling captivating and hilarious stories. Elaine strove to attend every musical and athletic event that her children and grandchildren participated in, always acting as their biggest supporter.

Elaine did not take defeat lightly, particularly in the warfare of Scrabble. Secretly, to her family's delight, Elaine's fierceness and determination came out when playing against Kenneth in Scrabble. A few days before her departure, she held an impressive win with a score of 472 to Kenneth's 332.

Elaine's family fondly remembers their time spent with her in the outdoors: her laughter echoing through the Porcupine Mountains, screams of joy as she caught a fish on the fly, and her palpable fear that she would be the first in their party to be eaten by a bear. She found a childlike joy and wonder in the beauty of nature. She was also a lover of animals, letting a menagerie of critters into her home over the years.

Elaine was an artist. During times of financial strife, she created pinecone art, just one example of her ingenuity. Her creative side was well established in her over thirty years as a beautician and salon owner.

Elaine rode her stationary bike daily in efforts to stay healthy and gain any time to be here with her beloved family. Elaine, unfortunately, left this world abruptly, leaving behind her family to whom she devoted her existence. However, she is now reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her, including her father Archie, whom she lost at the age of 15, and is held in the loving arms of her Savior.

Elaine will be missed dearly by those who knew her affectionately as Meme, Mother, Momma, Mom, Grandma, and Binkie including her husband and best friend, Kenneth; children, Robert Dulyea, Theresa (Jim) Postema, Steve (Angela) Dulyea, Barbara (Daniel) Dulyea-Zaremba; grandchildren, Madeline (Wesley) Guthrie, Abigail Postema, Isaac Postema, Weston Dulyea, Whitany Dulyea, Elden Zaremba, Oscar Zaremba, and Una Zaremba; sisters, Sylvia Cisler and Barbara Zatalokin; siblings-in-law, Brad (Shirley) Dulyea, Joel (Merijo) Dulyea, and Teresa (Al) Dulyea-Parker.

Per Elaine's request, no services will be held at this time. The family greatly appreciates your acts of love as they mourn an unforgettable mother.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49442. Share memories with the family at https://sytsemafh.com.