Leona "Elaine" Stephens

Leona “Elaine” Stephens, of Vicksburg passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the age of 76. Elaine was born on March 11, 1943 in Sault Ste Marie, MI. She was the daughter of Clifford and Leona Belle (Riley) Niskala. On September 8, 1959, she married her first husband, Ernest Bruseau in Newberry, MI and had three children. On August 26, 1992 in Gatlinburg, TN she married Gary Stephens. Prior to retiring she worked as a department assistant and assembler for EPC Manufacturing. She is described by her family as a little feisty, mischievous, extremely creative, a bit flirty, and very independent. She was a member of the Ladies Library in Schoolcraft with her Mother making crafts for the bazaar, acting in a play, making cookies and any other activity that they had. She was a Girl Scout Leader for many years and enjoyed every part of it. She hated exercising, but would revel in any physical activity that had a productive end, such as, splitting wood, building shelves or gardening. She was the keeper of the family history for many generations and loved to share this with others and visiting with all her family members. Elaine loved going to zoos, camping and going back to her roots by visiting the Upper Peninsula , mostly, Tahquamenon Falls State Park and exploring lighthouses. In her spare time, she could be found painting or quilting. Elaine will be cremated, and the family will have a gathering at a later date. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Gary Stephens; two children: Greg (Linda) Bruseau, of VA; Teresa (David) DeYoung, of Mattawan; two grandchildren: Derek (Haley) Bruseau, of MT; and Kyle DeYoung, of Kalamazoo. She is also survived by her siblings: DeLoryce Niskala-Bigrow, of Kalamazoo; John Niskala, of Allegan; and Linda Niskala, of Kalamazoo; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Ernest, her brother: Clifford and her daughter: Brenda (deceased prenatal). Please visit Elaine’s webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can read her obituary, sign the guestbook, and share a memory with the family. For those who wish to make contributions, those can be directed to The American Lung Association https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2?df_id=31271&mfc_pref=T&31271.donation=form1&s_otherLungDiseases=true&_ga=2.216604437.2059104271.1581038007-1806458340.1581038007 The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097 269-649-1697.