Henrietta “Babe” (Bazuin) Elgas, age 106, of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Prudenville, MI, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, at Silver Maples Retirement Community in Chelsea, MI.
Babe was born on June 24, 1919, in Tustin, Michigan, the daughter of Jacob and Lena (Kleinhesselink) Bazuin. On September 6, 1942, she married Donald R. Elgas in Detroit, MI, and they shared 71 years together.
In 1947, Babe and Don settled in Prudenville, near Houghton Lake, where they spent many happy years. A woman of faith and devotion, Babe was an active member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Prudenville and then of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Higgins Lake. She sang in the choir at both churches and served as temp or fill-in organist on occasion.
Following Don’s passing in 2014, Babe moved to the Silver Maples Retirement Community in Chelsea in 2018. She enjoyed playing bridge and doing puzzles, and in her "younger" years, enjoyed backpacking (meaning age 79!)
Babe is survived by her three children: Jane (Mike) Slider of Ypsilanti; Kathleen (Larry) Stevens of Colorado; and Donald Jr. (Karen) Elgas of Gaylord; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and fourteen great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Maples Room at Silver Maples of Chelsea, with Pastor Jeff Crowder officiating. The family will receive friends in the Maples Room at Silver Maples on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Babe will be laid to rest beside her husband, Don, at Hillside Cemetery in Marion, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Silver Maples Employee Fund.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, Michigan.
