Honoring Tradition.
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Betty Baas

May 14, 1932 - November 4, 2018
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, November 7, 2018
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Thursday, November 8, 2018
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Chirstian Rest Home Foundation
1000 Edison Ave. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary
2965 Leonard Street NE.
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Print

All who knew Betty J. Baas would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was guided by an unwavering faith, and her faith was the compass she used to direct her steps. Betty was deeply devoted to her husband, and she considered being a mother to be both her highest calling and greatest blessing. Later in life she was filled with unspeakable joy to become a grandmother, and nothing was better than being surrounded by the love of her family. Life will never be the same without Betty here, but she leaves behind a timeless legacy that her loved ones will proudly carry on in her footsteps.

The 1930s were some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation as the Great Depression covered America and much of the world throughout the entire decade and beyond. Although times were certainly challenging, there was joy to be found, too, and this was certainly the case in the lives of Richard and Ada Margaret (Smith) Warn as they welcomed the birth of the baby girl they named Betty J. on May 14, 1932, in Dowagiac, Michigan. The only child in her family, her father was a butcher while her mother was Director of Nursing at Ferguson Hospital. When she was only three, Betty and her parents moved to Grand Rapids, and this was the place she called home for the rest of her life. Betty's grandmother owned a large farmhouse and "boxcar" cabins on the backwaters in Mesick, Michigan. This provided the backdrop for priceless family memories as this was where most holidays and vacations were spent. Betty attended local schools including Union High School where she was interested in home economics and graduated from Union High School in 1950. Betty made some amazing friends, and about six of these friends remained friends for the rest of her life.

New and exciting changes were in store for Betty when she met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Leonard Baas, and they met at the local hangout, Ramona Skating Rink. Betty was just 16 while he was a few years older, but the sparks flew. They began dating, and after two years they exchanged their vows on July 28, 1950. The newlyweds bought a new home on Garfield Street, NW. Together they welcomed three children: Lonni, Doug, and Scott into their hearts and home. Betty and Cutz were an amazing team, and they were partners in every way. As their family grew, her husband just added on to the home as needed. They made numerous memories while camping as a family, and in the early years it was a bit rustic. They later graduated to a truck camper that took them all over. When they became grandparents, they were thrilled, and the camping memories they made as a family continued as their family grew. For years their family came together to vacation at Lake Leelanau near Traverse City, and there was always plenty of laughter. Over the years Betty and Cutz traveled every state, including Alaska and Hawaii. In 2007, she was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved husband.

Throughout her life Betty was one to keep busy. She was a longtime member of the Netherlands Reformed Church. Although she primarily focused her time and attention at home, Betty did work in the jewelry department at Wurzburg’s Department Store at Christmas time for quite a few years. Later in life Betty enjoyed weekly volunteer work at both the church and the seminary. She had amazing skills in the kitchen as she was great at both cooking and baking. Among her specialties were cakes and cookies. Betty did enjoy eating out at times, and Outback Steakhouse was one of her favorites. She loved gardening, and she had an amazing green thumb. Betty looked forward to planting flowers every year, and she was also a crafty person who enjoyed both sewing and knitting. An avid reader, she especially enjoyed all of Karen Kingsbury’s books. If she listened to music, it was easy listening music and Hymns, and she also collected Precious Moments figurines. Sadly, Betty suffered a stroke over three years ago and moved into the Christian Rest Home.

With unending devotion to her family, Betty Baas was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She worked hard in whatever she did, and she lived to serve her family in ways both great and small. A woman of faith, Betty exemplified what it means to be a follower of Christ. Deeply loved, she will be forever missed.

Betty J. Baas, age 86 of Grand Rapids passed away on Sunday November 4, 2018. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Leonard, “Cutz” in March 2007 and granddaughter Melodie Baas in June 2015. Betty is survived by her children Lonni and Dan Sandee, Doug and Gail Baas, Scott and Lois Baas; her grandchildren: Shannon Brauning, Shawn and Cecilia Sandee, Lisa and Bob TenHarkel, Holly and Rob Milanowski, Jason and Brittany Baas, Andy Baas, Mike and Cassie Baas, Amanda Baas, Melany and Jim Dunham, Ryan Baas, Val and Lyle Flynn, Kevin and Ivory Baas; her 27 great grandchildren, Ian, Elle, Landon, Lola, Quinn, Brianna, Kelsey, Megan, Tyler, Gavin, Cooper, Charlotte, Annabelle, Brady, Cameron, Georgia, Clementine, Lavender, Carly, Levi, Carson, Olivia, Callie, Maylee, Esther, Elaina, Evelyn and many nieces and nephews. A service to remember Betty’s life will be held on Thursday, November 8, at 2:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with her family on Wednesday, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The family would like to thank the staff of the Christian Rest Home for the good Christian care shown to mom in her time at the home as well as the care from Emanuel Hospice. Contributions to the Christian Rest Home Foundation and Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary are appreciated. Please visit www.lifesorynet.com to read Betty’s life story, share a memory or sign the on line register book.

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