Elaine Alice Smolen passed away on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Peabody Retirement Community in North Manchester, at the age of 91. She was formerly a resident of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake. She was born on June 19, 1933, in Hammond, to Cecelia Sekulski and Paul Jastrembowski. Elaine was married on June 20, 1953, the day after she turned 20 years old, to the love of her life, Arthur Thomas Smolen. They settled in Whiting and were blessed with 48 years of marriage before Arthur passed away on Oct. 30, 2001.
Elaine worked as an x-ray technician for a number of years during her working life, but her favorite job was simply being Mom! Elaine and Arthur raised three wonderful sons, and later experienced the joy of becoming grandparent’s multiple times. Partners in everything they did throughout their lives, they especially loved to travel together and saw God’s beauty as they visited the entire United States. She enjoyed being a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Warsaw. Elaine was a gracious and kind lady and could always make friends wherever she was living. She leaves behind a legacy of love to her children, and will forever be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She will be lovingly remembered by her three sons: Michael (Cindy) Smolen, Los Alamitos, Calif.; David (Barbara) Smolen, Warsaw; and Jim (Jill) Smolen, Annapolis, Md. Also surviving are her beloved 10 grandchildren: Matthew, Lindsey, Elise, Lauren, Eric, Michael, Kathleen, Alexandra, Andrew and Ryan; and great-granddaughter, Audrey. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Tyler; brother, Henry; and two sisters, Emily and Edna.
Elaine’s life will be celebrated privately by her family. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.