Elaine A. Van Holland

MODESTO, Calif. — Elaine A. Van Holland, 88, died peacefully May 10, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Private Services will be held at Acacia Cemetery. Elaine was born in February 1936 to Ralph and Mae Kiefer. She was raised in Laurel, along side her 11 siblings. In 1957, she joined the U.S. Air Force, where she met her husband of 64 years, Jake Van Holland.

Jake and Elaine settled in Modesto, Calif., where they raised their three children. They eventually moved to the countryside, built their own home and became walnut growers. In addition to homemaking, Elaine went back to school and got her lifetime teaching credentials; she worked as a substitute teacher and bus driver. She was an avid bowler for 45 years and found joy in soap operas, polka music and family gatherings.

Elaine will be remembered by her grandchildren for her stroopwafels, oliebollen and strawberry jam. Her great-grandchildren will remember running through the walnut orchard to “Oma’s house” to enjoy her sweet treats and loving hugs, and of course, to check if they had grown taller than her.

She will be deeply missed by her husband, Jake; her sons, Michael Van Holland (Jack), Bryan Van Holland (Catherine), and daughter Renee Pruismann; her five grandchildren and their spouses and her eight great-grand children; sisters, Mary (Bob) McLain and Kathy Kiefer; and brother, Tim Kiefer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, eight of her 11 siblings, and two grandsons.