Elaine Claeys

Elaine Marie Claeys, 74, died July 25, 2019 at the Leonardville Nursing Home in Leonardville, Kansas. She was born on April 19, 1945 in Miltonvale, Kansas, the daughter of Zephren “Ike” and Dorothy (Cyr) Chartier.  She was raised in Miltonvale and graduated from CCCHS in 1963.  She married her high school sweetheart, Laddie Griffiths on July 16, 1963.  This union produced three children, Trudy, Karen and Devin. Laddie preceded her in death on June 28, 1970 at the age of 25.  She then married Lee Claeys on September 4, 1971. Lee had a daughter, Michelle, from a previous marriage. Lee preceded her in death on July 19, 2017.    Elaine was a homemaker when the kids were small but started working once they were in middle school.  She worked at the Elks Club, L&J Feeds, Homecare, Westside Café, Dairy Queen and Ray’s Apple Market on three different occasions; first in the deli, second as a checker and third as a sample passer outer.  She and Lee also lived at Apollo Towers and worked as maintenance people when she started doing coffee for the elderly.  She really enjoyed talking to people and giving hugs.  She was a lifetime member of the Clay Center Christian Church.  She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Elaine worked all year on her “Naughty Sacks” that she gave her children and grandchildren.  The family would like for anyone that would like, to bring a small item that reminds them of Elaine with a note of why it does to respect calls.  These will be placed in a "Naughty Sack" and will be displayed at the reception after the funeral on Wednesday.

Survivors:

Daughter: Trudy Witmer (companion Patricia Neet)

Daughter: Karen and husband (Scott) Girard

Son: Devin Griffiths (fiance Heather Baker)

Daughter: Michelle (Larry) Downard

16 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren

Friend: Dennis Sadler

Brother: Farrel (Marlene) Chartier

Brother: Darrel (Ruth) Chartier

Sister: Carol (Rick) Ricketts

Brother in law: Dennis (Sharon) Claeys

Funeral Services: Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 10:30AM at the Clay Center United Methodist Church in Clay Center, KS

Minister: Pastor Jon Grogg and Rev. Tim Gotchey

Burial: Miltonvale Cemetery, Miltonvale, KS

Visitation: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 from 3:00-8:00 PM at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, Kansas

Memorials: In Lieu of flowers, memorials may made to the Elaine Claeys Memorial Fund to be designated later c/o funeral home.