Elizabeth Ida (Yeaw) Hartesvelt, 92 of Suttons Bay, completed her earthly journey trusting in the promises of Christ and joined her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

She was born August 2, 1933, in Elmhurst, Illinois to Clarence Yates Yeaw and Olga Sophie (Gorling) Yeaw and later the family, including older sisters Marion and Ruth moved to Pearl Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Elizabeth attended and graduated from Ottawa High School there. Elizabeth (Liz) married Louis Charles Hartesvelt (Louie to her and Doc to most) onAugust11,1956. Heprecededherin death on May 18, 2020. Liz obtained her bachelor’s degree in English and teaching certification from U. of M. and worked in the Pathology Department there while Lou finished dental school in 1958.

The young married couple left Michigan after dental school, joined the U.S. Public Service Health Service and were stationed at the Choctaw Indian Hospital of Talihina, Oklahoma where Doc provided dentistry services for the Native American people there. While in Oklahoma, they gave birth to their son, John Charles on December 8, 1958, who later died at age six months. Before leaving the service and Oklahoma, their daughter, Catherine Lynn was born and the small family headed north back to Michigan.

Liz and Lou settled in beautiful Suttons Bay in 1960 purchasing a local dental practice on St. Joseph Street owned by Dr. Kitson. While Doc practiced dentistry for nearly 40 years, Liz began setting roots in the community, choosing Immanuel Lutheran Church as the family’s church home and both made many lifetime friendships in the community. Their family grew during those early years with the birth of Janet Carol, a landscape designer and business owner, and Amy Louise, a banker and talented musician. All three daughters live in the area and will miss their mom, her lovely gardens and strong Christian faith as she was our fierce prayer warrior. Liz and Lou (known as MorMor and Opa) to three grandchildren, MorMor became great-grandmother to five after Opa’s death. Liz and Lou also counted dedicated employees, Robin Patterson and friends Michelle and Allan Crocker, their children and grandchildren as extended and loved members of their family.

Not one to sit still, Liz was an avid gardener, and every home movie contained a trailer of her most recent garden. She hosted multitudes of Bible studies and annual summer picnics over 60 years. Liz instructed her sisters in Christ to “carry on” and perhaps add strings of popcorn and cranberries to their Christmas trees in remembrance of their fireplace chats. Liz also loved her float chair during the summer months and would “free float” in Suttons Bay until Lou added an anchor so he wouldn’t get a call to come get her in Omena or Charlevoix.

When the children were old enough to begin school, Liz began working for Immanuel Lutheran Church, Suttons Bay as parish secretary for over 25 years working for Pastors Dale Mitchell, James Bischoff, Mark Hirt and Paul Kuhlman. Not only did Liz work for the church, but she also taught Sunday School and Confirmation, sang in the choir, was an Died February 3, 2026 active altar guild member designing and crafting liturgical banners and altar linens that are still used today. Liz also was a member of the church’s quilting group where, over the years, thousands of quilts were crafted, blessed and distributed to people in need around the world. The stained-glass window on the Lincoln Street side of Immanuel features a cross in sea glass colors that was designed by Liz.

Liz loved and studied scripture wearing out multiple Bibles, making notes in margins and highlighting favorite passages. She also enjoyed reading historical and mystery novels, solving crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and was a frequent caller to the Word Professor on AM580. Her artistic talent also included oil painting, charcoal sketching, needlepoint, embroidery, petit point, cross stitch, sewing and knitting. Together, Liz and Lou also enjoyed vegetable gardening and canning, taking pictures of enormous tomatoes and towering sunflowers to memorialize each summer.

After celebrating Christmas Eve with her girls and their beloved, Liz quietly toasted in the New Year in Swedish tradition with “helan gar” and akvavit at her home on Stony Point after attending worship service at Immanuel for the last time. She spoke of love for God, Country, family and friends. Liz was cared for and comforted at the Toy House by Bob Jelinek, loved her friends and housemates affectionately referred to as the “Golden Girls”, enjoyed the companionship of little Otis and new friend, angel nurse Tonya from Hospice of Michigan.

Preceding her in death were sisters, Marion Esther Yeaw and Ruth Louise (Yeaw) McClellen (Charlie), and most recently, her sister-in-law and dear friend at age 100, Harriet Anne (Hartesvelt) Nelson (Raymond).

She is survived and will be missed by daughters, Cathy Hartesvelt (David Bleich), Jan Hartesvelt (Guy Leslie) and Amy (Thomas Mamo); her grandchildren Susan (Ryan Korson), Mitchell Herman (Taylor Bebow) and Marta (Brent Habegger), great-grandchildren Henry and Violet Korson, Kade and Judd Herman and Nora Habegger. Auntie Liz will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.

A worship service with Pastor Jonathan Reid presiding and celebration of the lives of both Liz and Lou Hartesvelt will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Suttons Bay on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon following for all in attendance provided by their church family.

Graveside service for Liz will be held at Rest Lawn Memorial Park, Grand Rapids in the spring where Lou and son, John are interred.

Memorials may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 206, Suttons Bay, MI 49682, Suttons Bay Bingham Fire & Rescue, 201 S St Mary’s Ave, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 or Leelanau Christian Neighbors, PO Box 106, Lake Leelanau, Michigan 49653.

Please share condolences and memories with Liz’s family at www.martinson.info. Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.