Elsje Booms Groos passed away at age 87 on January 26, 2021, after 3 courageous battles with cancer, at home surrounded by her family. She was born on Nov. 4, 1933 to Thomas Booms and Aletta Stam Booms in Haarlem, Netherlands. She immigrated in 1951 to the U.S. with her parents, brothers Bill, Tom and Eddy, and sister Audrey. She was proud to be an American citizen. She always laughed that her first job in the U.S. was in a pickle factory because it made her smell like pickles. But always a lady, she changed her clothes before she took the bus home from work so others wouldn’t smell it on her. She met her husband Adriaan when he came to their house looking for her brother Bill. They married on Sept. 21, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were married 68 wonderful years. They built their dream home on Hyland Lake in 1960 where they raised their 4 kids. She was well known for her huge yard parties and Christmas dinners. She was a fabulous cook and always invited everyone. She was a wonderful mother teaching her kids how to work but also how to have fun. She loved to swim. Even at 80 years old she would go every day at 6 am swimming with her daughter. She made many happy memories for her family.
In 1975 she supported her husband’s dream of starting The Old Dutch Store. It quickly became her dream also and they worked very hard to make it a success. She was a marketing genius. She instinctively knew exactly what the customers liked, how to market it and how to price it. This was a huge contributing factor to their success. They welcomed everyone and customers became life-long friends.
She spent her whole life caring for others, especially her husband as he aged. She was well known for her generosity and charity work. She was generous to her family, friends and even strangers. She loved Christmas and always filled huge bags with Dutch goodies, stolen bread and gifts for her family. She contributed large boxes of food to the local food pantry and people in need. Her charity projects knew no bounds. She volunteered for many years for PJ’s Forgotten Children filling, at her own cost, over a 1,000 overflowing gift bags. She assembled hundreds of blankets for Uganda and many other projects. She also contributed generously to many local charities. She was an example to all who knew her.
Elsje is survived by her son Adrian Jr. (Cathy), daughters Margie Smithey, Carola Groos and Lillian (Rodney) Eaton, 8 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. She was very close to her granddaughter Heather and her sister Audrey, both of whom she loved dearly. Preceded in death by her husband, parents and brothers. The family expresses our deepest appreciation to Quality Hospice for their extraordinary care.
A viewing will be held from 9 to 10 am on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, followed by a graveside service for family only. In lieu of flowers, she believed in feeding the hungry. Please contribute in her name to your local food bank or children’s food pantry.
So very sorry for your loss. Your mother was a wonderful mother. I had the privilege to live next store to Elsie. She was like having a second mother growing up which I still have fond memories growing up with the Groos family. She will be deeply missed but forever in my heart.
I will miss Elsje so much - she was an outstanding example and leaves a legacy of love, thoughtfulness, and service.
My thoughts and prayers will be for all her family. May you be comforted by your sweet memories of sweet Elsje.
It was an honor to know and associate with Elsje and Adrian. They were such industrious, hard working and giving people. They were easy to love.
As Elsje's son in law, I was impressed by her work ethic, concern for others, and the love she had for her husband. Whenever we were visiting, I looked forward to Adriaan wagging his finger and Elsje saying, 'Oh, Adriaan, be quiet' which made Adriaan talk even more. It was always fun to listen to her laugh and enjoy her company. She spent a great deal of her time taking care of her husband but it was her way of showing her love. For someone her size she could be tough which was necessary given her history and the very extraordinary times she lived in and endured. I always admired the way she appreciated what she had and who she chose to keep close. She was quick with a complement and giving sound advice when asked. She will be missed but always loved and remembered for the kind, giving person she was. May she rest in peace.
We are so sorry for the loss. She meant so much to so many. Our thoughts are wirh her daughter Corolla and granddaughter Heather.
Kenny, Jerilee, Laurie, chris and Lexi
I never met her in reality, but she has a beautiful smile. I wish she rest in peace and blessings 🙏
Sweet family,
First of all, my condolences on the great loss of your mother and grandmother. Due to corona, a new meeting has unfortunately been canceled.
I often think about the beautiful holidays I made with your mom and dad in America and Hawaii. I often think of 1951, the year that your mother emigrated to America, I was very sad that I had to miss my niece Els. But that worked out later because I had the opportunity to come to her.
I wish the family a lot of strength in the coming period and hope that I can receive you again in the Netherlands. You are always welcome here!
Lots of strength and lots of love from Truus.
Dear family,
We wish you much strength in this difficult time. We have warm feelings for Aunt Els (and Uncle Adrian). She will always remain in our memories, among the tulip fields!
Lots of love, Marja and Gerrie
Hoofddorp
the Netherlands
With deepest sympathy for the loss of your mother.
She was a very special woman and she will be missed by many .
Myrna Gribnau (her niece in the Netherlands)
Rotterdam, 28 januari 2021
Dear family,
We are very sad about the death of aunt Els. For her cousin Truus in particular it is very bad not to be able to see and speak to her 'sister' anymore. Truus is so sad and also regrets that she was not able to meet her again last September as due to Covid-19 regulations she had to cancel her flight to Salt Lake City.
We will remember Aunt Els as a optimistic, sweet, strong practical woman, always ready to help others. She was, as far as we can judge, the linchpin of the family. The special bond she had with Truus is cherished.
We are with you in spirit and realize the great sorrow that has befallen you. Losing your parents (and grandparents) in 1 year. That hurts! We hope you find comfort in each other during this difficult time.
From the Netherlands we will contribute in memory of our beloved Aunt Els to the Food bank in Haarlem. The city were she was born and spend the first 17 years of her life.
We wish you a lot of strength in the coming period.
Love from us all,
Truus Booms, Gerrie & Marja Visser, Trudie & Orhan Kaya and their children Eva-Luna, Alisher, Sidar and Hannah-Lora
Dear Carla, Heather, and family, This is a sad news to bear. I'm so sorry that she didn't have more time, but she certainly made the best use of her time on earth. Your mother was such a loving and gifted woman, always looking to help others. She will be brightening up Heaven with her genuine love for all. I remember your mom's smiles when we shopped at the The Olde Dutch Store. They made the BEST meatloaf for sandwiches. May Heavenly Father bless you with healing, peace, and comfort and may you feel His love form you. May your mom's spirit comfort you also to let you know she's happy and at rest. My love and prayers are with you at this time.
What an awesome women ! She spent much of her lifetime helping and contributing food and items that
she created. We, her neighbors and good friends have lost a person of integrity. She would just rollup
her sleeves and get to work. She was an excellent cook. She loved making sandwiches for the missionaries
and giving them out to those who came into their Holland Store on Highland Drive and 27th South.
She continuously sewed afghans together for young women of Uganda that were removed from their villages because of their incontinence. Her children and grandchildren have followed in her footsteps. What a legacy she has left behind. Elsje and Adrianne designed their home and it was a beautiful addition
to our neighborhood. We loved being in their home. Diana and Neal Wright
My mother (wife of adrian’s nephew Nicolaas HOLTHUIJZEN, son of his beloved sister Marie) and I have just learned today about the loss of Els. We didn’t get any news any more and finally we heard the sad news from Margot Roth’s son (sister of Nicolaas)
We are so sad not having heard it before to send you our condoléances…
Kind regards
Wil & Marijke