Carol Susan Elenius

Carol "Tinsman" Elenius

May 10, 1962 - September 23, 2024

Carol Elenius, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away in Sarasota, Florida, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Mt. Clemons, MI and raised in St. Claire Shores, MI, Carol lived a life defined by love, humor, and unwavering devotion to her family and faith.

In 1981, she met her loving husband, Ken Elenius, in Grand Rapids, MI, at Calvin College. With her quick wit and infectious sense of humor, Carol loved to banter with anyone willing to share a laugh, instantly brightening any room she entered. Her playful spirit and tender heart quickly won Ken over, and together they built a marriage grounded in their shared beliefs, love for good meals, and joyful companionship. Their bond deepened over decades of memories, faith, and dedication to raising their family.

A graduate of Calvin University, Carol earned a double major in Psychology and Accounting. While she excelled in her professional career, her true calling was being a devoted mother. She homeschooled her children, instilling in them a strong foundation of faith, integrity, and kindness. Carol lived by her life verse, Colossians 3:2: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things," allowing her to gracefully navigate the joys and challenges of life.

Carol's faith reached far beyond her personal journey. She served as a youth group leader, mentoring young girls one-on-one, and led numerous women's Bible studies. She formed prayer groups, supported others in their spiritual walks, and constantly sought to uplift those around her. In the weeks before walking with her Lord, Carol remained committed to serving others, ensuring that everyone who visited her room left with a smile. Her generous spirit, unwavering faith, and selflessness touched countless lives and will continue to inspire those who knew her.

In addition to her deep commitment to her faith, Carol had a creative and caring soul. She took great pleasure in crafting and sharing handmade creations with loved ones as a reflection of her care. One of her quirky and endearing habits was caring for virtual fish on her phone, naming each after family members, friends, and significant life events and anniversaries. This daily ritual added a playful touch to her life and reflected her unique way of cherishing the people and moments that mattered most to her.

Being a grandmother brought Carol immense joy and fulfillment. She embraced her role as "Her Majesty the Royal Grandmama," a playful title that always brought laughter. Their bond was incredibly special, filled with precious moments of singing nursery rhymes and worship songs. Her warm snuggles and Korean dramas often caught them both drifting off for peaceful naps. These shared moments were filled with love, creating lasting memories that will forever be cherished by her family.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Ken Elenius; her sisters, Gail Sadler (Pat) and Jan Ashcraft (Bill); her daughter, Jordan Ferguson (Matt); her son, Jacob Elenius (Mary); and her beloved granddaughter, Yennefer Carol-Lois Elenius, who was lovingly named in her honor. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Nancy and Arthur Tinsman, and her brother, Paul Tinsman.

A celebration of Carol's life will be held on February 15, 2025. For details on the service, please contact her family.

Carol's life was a shining example of love, faith, and service. Her legacy of kindness, laughter, and devotion to the Lord will forever live on in the hearts of those she touched.