Bernadine "Betty" K. Swindell

Betty Swindell was a remarkable woman, a woman who drank in life to the fullest, and enjoyed every drop along the way. She was strong, she was loving, and she was bright, an amazing mother and devoted wife. Most of all, Betty was a woman who taught us that life is a gift, and it was always meant to be enjoyed.

Betty's story began on a cold December day in Grand Rapids, as the year 1923 drew to a close. As many prepared their New Year's celebrations, Louis "Dutch" and Gertrude (Jankowski) Dutkiewicz were ready for a different celebration, the birth of a baby girl. On December 30, 1923, a cold, snowy Sunday in Grand Rapids, they welcomed the youngest of their four children, a daughter they named Bernadine.

The family lived on the west side of Grand Rapids, and little Betty lived a typically active childhood, playing with her two sisters and brother. She attended one of the local Catholic elementary schools, and went through the 10th grade in her schooling. By then, the cloud of the Great Depression had affected so many, and Betty set out to earn a living, taking a job with General Motors.

One fateful day, Betty went to Lansing to visit her sister Margaret, which would change her life for the better. There she met a handsome young man named Harry Swindell, who was visiting from Tennessee. Well, they both admitted it was love at first sight, and after a short courtship, they were married on January 3, 1942, just days after her 18th birthday.

Harry was a painter by trade, and found work in Lansing, where the newlyweds settled for a time, and started their family. They were soon blessed with the births of daughters Diane, Pat and Marge. Eventually, an opportunity arose, and the family moved to San Diego, where Betty took a job working on airplanes - just like Rosie the Riveter. With no formal training and just a diagram to work from, Betty installed electrical wiring on the planes! She had a great work ethic, and was also a quick study.

The family returned to Lansing in 1953, to be closer to Betty's family. Back in Michigan, Betty and Harry were soon blessed with the births of daughters Margo and Deb. Sadly, another child, their baby boy, Harry, died during childbirth in 1967.

Betty stayed at home to raise the children at first, but when the youngest was a few years old, she returned to work at General Motors, even commuting to Grand Rapids every day for over a year.

Then in 1960, the family packed up and moved to Grand Rapids, a move that made Betty understandably happy. Not only did it end her long commute, but it made her so much closer to much of her family.

Betty was a wonderful wife and mother, although she was the disciplinarian in the family. When the kids wanted something, they'd first ask Harry, who always knew how his wife thought, so he told them to go ask Betty. Betty also took care of the day-to-day chores, although thanks to Harry's flexible schedule, he often made dinner for the family.

While Betty was very involved in her job at GM, and had some close friends there, she also led a very active social life outside of work. Betty always knew how to have a good time. She loved to spend time with her family, camping, fishing or boating, and together they rented a cottage on Diamond Lake for many years. Her parents eventually bought a home on that lake, where the family made so many wonderful memories together. Betty loved to fish and boat at the lake, even flipping the boat over! That's how she was, though, always fun-loving in any situation.

When the kids had grown, Betty offered an open invitation to her special Sunday dinners (the one day of the week she was designated chef). She always made enough fried chicken for everyone in attendance, as well.

Sadly, Betty's beloved Harry died August 27, 1979, before he was able to enjoy retirement. Betty persevered, and lived in an apartment alone for a time. She eventually retired in the mid-1980s, and in 1986 she moved in with her daughter Patty, for what was supposed to be a short time. But she and her daughter got along famously, and she ended up staying for good.

Betty insisted on doing her fair share around the house, though, and no one but Betty was allowed to touch the laundry, her specialty. She had a very traditional view of the woman's role in the home, and often joked with her daughters to do things for their husbands, and if they wouldn't, she would herself!

Betty also loved living with Pat and her husband Bill, because she finally got to help raise a son - her great-grandson. She loved to spoil him, naturally, but his mother always kept Betty from going overboard. She loved all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly, who in return lovingly called her "Boomie." She was such a fun aunt, grandma and great-grandma.

Oh, Betty sure knew how to have fun. One of her greatest joys was Bingo, and no one got between Betty and her three-nights-a-week Bingo lifestyle! She'd arrive at the hall two hours early, to collect her card and claim her favorite seat. If you wanted her at an event, you didn't schedule it on Bingo night. She also loved going to the casino, and even visited Las Vegas, in addition to trips around the country visiting relatives.

Betty loved any and all kinds of games, and loved to work crossword or jigsaw puzzles. She also loved going bowling with her good friends Mary, Marge, Sandy and Liz. And, like all 80-somethings, Betty also loved ... video games! Yes, Betty was hooked the moment she played a game called "Zelda" on the Nintendo, and worked her way up to the Nintendo GameCube, winning each of the Zelda games. Even at 82, Betty lived more like a 60-year-old, and played like a teenager!

While she came off as shy to just meet her, Betty was so vivacious once you got to know her. She was talkative, with a tremendous sense of humor and a wonderful, broad smile. She was always in good health, with just a few minor problems over the years, nothing to slow her down for too long. Then, sadly, she began experiencing unusual problems, and was diagnosed with cancer. She died shortly afterward, on July 12, 2006.

Betty was an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a devoted wife, who will be buried next to her beloved Harry. Most of all, Betty was a woman who taught us that life is a gift, and it was always meant to be enjoyed. Those lucky enough to know her, enjoyed her life almost as much as she did. She will be greatly missed.

Bernadine "Betty" Swindell, age 82 of Lowell, passed away July 12, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; son, Harry Jr.; grandson, Joshua DeYoung; siblings Margaret Hartley and Edward Dutkiewicz. She is survived by her children, Diane and Kurt Brunner, Patricia and William Jerow, Margaret and Brian DeYoung, Margo Swindell, Debbie and William Averill; 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; sister Evelyn Steenhagen and many nieces, nephews and cousins, and many friends. A service to celebrate Betty's life will be held on Monday, July 17 at 1 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE where friends may visit with her family for one hour prior to the service. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are appreciated. To read more about Betty's life or to share a favorite memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.