Lauraine Ruth Kendall Holycross, 94, of Osceola, passed away peacefully of natural causes Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at The Caring Cottage, South Bend, IN.

She was born September 6, 1926 in Howell, Michigan, to Opces V. Kendall and Ruby Elizabeth (Yarnell) Kendall. On August 24, 1947, she married Merlin R. Holycross in Osceola, IN. He preceded her in death in October 2012.

She is survived by son, Robert A. (Noreen) Holycross of Southport, NC, two daughters, Sue (Jim) McGee of West Lafayette IN, and Jo Ellen "Tweeter" (Terry) Frend of Osceola IN; Also surviving is her sister, Charlene Potterbaum, of Nashville, TN.

Six grandchildren; Jim (Trish) McGee, Jeff (Amy) McGee, Beth (Joe) Knapp, Jenni (Matt) Volker, Chauncey (Rachel) Frend, and Taylor (Morgan) Frend.

Six & one-half great-grandchildren; Jake McGee of Blythewood, SC, Abby & Emma Knapp of Mishawaka, IN, Ella McGee of Folsom, CA, Collin Volker of Moyock, NC, and Weston Frend and his upcoming sibling of Niles MI.

Lauraine was preceded in death by infant son, Thomas Eugene Holycross, her parents, and brothers, J. Roger Kendall, Robert O. Kendall, and Allen Y. Kendall.

She graduated from Elkhart High School in 1945, and from Southwestern Michigan College in 1971, with a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree. She worked several years at CTS of Elkhart. Lauraine and Merlin traveled extensively throughout the U.S., and visited their foreign exchange student daughter, Kesara Nutalaya, in Bangkok, Thailand in 1997, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Family genealogy was Lauraine's favorite hobby, but she also loved dancing and Big Band music, and was a member of the Elkhart Rockerettes for many years. More recently, she liked to entertain family, and friends at Hubbard Hill, by playing music on her electronic organ.

We are deeply thankful to Glenda Brown and her staff at The Caring Cottage - they loved Mom through her final days, when we couldn't be with her. A Celebration of Life will be held this summer, when we can gather safely, with interment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Osceola. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. in Elkhart is in care of arrangements.

Contributions may be made in Lauraine's memory to Pet Refuge, 4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend, IN 46614 (574-231-1122). This is the dog rescue where Maggie, one of her favorite fur grandbabies, was rescued by the Frend family.

Or, to The Bonine House, PO Box 124, Vandalia, MI 49095. Mom's interest in the Underground Railroad led her to doing research that is now included in the Bonine library. Checks should be made out to URSCC (Underground Railroad Society of Cass County) or go online to make a donation directly www.urscc.org.

Pet Refuge
4626 S. Burnett Dr., South Bend IN 46614
Tel: 1-574-231-1122
Web: http://www.petrefuge.com

The Bonine House
PO Box 124, Vandalia MI 49095
Web: https://www.urscc.org/