Betty Howard

All who knew Betty Howard would agree that their lives were greatly enriched because of her gentle and kindhearted touch. She was a woman who fully embraced each moment she was given, facing what life brought with a quiet strength and graceful resilience that was all her own. As mothers go Betty was second to none as she fully embraced the delicate dance of being both firm and tender at the same time while offering unconditional love, too. With unmatched determination she faced her health struggles throughout her later years while never letting them steal her joy. The brilliant mosaic of memories she leaves behind will be a priceless gift in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind.

It was a great time to be an American during the 1920s. There were advancements in technology that changed the way we lived our lives such as the development of the washing machine, the in-home refrigerator, and the portable radio. Amidst this vibrant time there was great joy for one young couple from Fremont, Michigan, when they announced the birth of their healthy baby girl on February 25, 1923. Betty was the second of six children born to her parents, Theodore and Beulah (Brink) Lanning, joining her older brother, Bill, in the family. She was later followed by her younger siblings, Ted, Maxine, Mae, and Richard. Tragedy struck early in Betty’s life with the death of her father when he was still in his twenties.

For a time Betty lived with her grandfather and aunt in Fremont, then moved to Muskegon to her mother and stepfather's home after the death of her grandfather. She remained in Muskegon until she married during the forties. Although her marriage later ended in divorce, Betty was always grateful for the two children she dearly loved, Gerald Richard and Barbara Jean.

New and exciting changes were in store for Betty when she met the man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Hollis Howard, and they met at the Herald Street Grill where he worked as a cook. Betty worked elsewhere as a waitress, and she frequently stopped by the grill after work. After falling in love, they married in the late forties and were soon blessed with two children, Terry and Jerry. In the early fifties their family grew to include a young girl named Cindy whose mother was being treated for tuberculosis at the Sunshine Sanatorium. Cindy remained a part of their family throughout the fifties.

Betty was given a tough pill to swallow with the unexpected death of her daughter, Barbara, in 1964 due to a traffic accident. Shortly thereafter she and Hollis began working towards adopting Barbara’ s daughter, Crystal. The adoption became official in 1966. In the late sixties Betty and Hollis also opened their home to foster children as well.

From the moment her first son was born Betty fully embraced her role as a mother. She was active in her children’s lives in a variety of ways including as a den mother and a regular volunteer at their schools. There was always plenty of family time including summers spent at Croton Dam and winters skiing in Mancelona. In the 1970s they purchased a cabin on beautiful Torch Lake, which provided the backdrop for countless family memories for over 20 years. As her friends and family can attest, everything that came out of Betty’s kitchen was fantastic, and some of her most famous dishes include her legendary fried chicken as well as her cinnamon rolls, breads, and wing dings. A true cook to her core, Betty never let anyone else near the kitchen! As her children grew older and established families of their own, she remained the matriarch of the family.

As a woman with an entrepreneurial spirit, Betty established a sewing business with another woman called the Pin Cushion in which they did sewing and alterations. She also worked as a waitress at Fingers Restaurant as well as at other restaurants and in fabric stores at times.

It was clear to see by the way she lived her life that Betty treasured so much of what life has to offer. She dearly loved her pets, and they were like additional members of her family. Betty’s poodles, Pierre and Babbette, and her collies, Yohanna and Pepsi, were dear companions for many years. She also had many cats over the years and fed any stray cats that crossed her path. Betty’s most recent feline companions were Sylvester and Calli, which was originally Crystal’s cat. Sewing kept her busy through the years, and she enjoyed sewing outfits and costumes that her grandchildren and other family members needed for events such as rodeos and beauty pageants. Betty also did some knitting, making countless things to give away to various charities. She acquired an extensive collection of keepsakes including porcelain thimbles, spoons, and hummingbirds. With a natural talent for display, her finds always graced her home beautifully.

Later in life Betty and Hollis moved around a bit. In 1988 they moved from Grand Rapids to Traverse City where they remained until they moved to Big Rapids in 1994. In 2005, Betty and her husband moved back to Grand Rapids. For many years the winter months found the couple at their condo in Florida, but they were forced to sell it when Hollis became ill.

In 2010 Betty was deeply saddened with the death of her husband, and she also struggled with various health issues of her own later in life. She suffered with Crohn’s disease for the past five and a half years, but she never let her struggles get her down. Betty also had diabetes, congestive heart failure, and suffered several strokes, yet she was a fighter who kept making an unbelievable recovery.

A woman of unwavering faith and unending love and service toward those around her, Betty Howard made a significant impact in the lives of those too numerous to count. Her life exemplifies what it means to be a woman of grace, courage, and true beauty. Betty will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Betty Howard died on Monday, December 26, 2011. Betty’s family includes her children, Terry (Sally) Howard, Jerry (Cathie) Howard, Crystal (Darrel) Dusendang, Gerald (Sally) McGoran; her grandchildren, Teresa (Shane) Snoap, Shelley (Jason) Breen, Cathy (James) Armstrong, Joshua (Tara) Howard, Emily (Matt) Hulen, Sara (Robert) Moylan, Brian (Jenni Jo) Dusendang, Jason Dusendang, Christina Dusendang, Shannon McGoran, Deborah (Dave) Osborne; 20 great grandchildren; sisters, Maxine Archambault, and Mae Harris; and several nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Hollis, and her daughter, Barbara Hanlin. The family wishes to thank Oak Crest Manor for their tender and loving care of Betty. Funeral services will be held Friday 11a.m. at Grandville United Methodist Church, 3140 Wilson, SW with interment in Blythefield Memory Gardens. Friends may meet the family on Thursday at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW from 5-8 p.m. and at the church for one hour prior to the service on Friday. Contributions in her memory may be made to Kid’s Food Basket, 2055 Oak Industrial Dr. SE Suite C, 49505. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a favorite memory.