Betty Reed

Betty Reed was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who always gave selflessly to enrich the lives of those around her. Devoted to her family and her faith, Betty spent her life working tirelessly both inside and outside the home, but was always able to enjoy the simple beauties in life.

Grand Rapids is a thriving city in West Michigan, where Betty Maryldine Zweedyk was born on October 10, 1931. She was the oldest of four children born to Peter and Frances (VanderArk) Zweedyk. Betty had a typical childhood growing up in their family home at 1131 Fremont NW, with her younger siblings, Thelma, Leonard and John. The family were members of West Leonard Christian Reformed Church, but later attended the 12th Street Christian Reformed Church and later, Westview Christian Reformed Church. Betty received her education in the West Side Christian School and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High in 1949.

Betty married in 1950, and had five beautiful daughters together: Ruth, Barbara, Betsy, Mary and Carol. Besides being a devoted mother, Betty worked for many years as a secretary at various companies in the area. In later years, Betty was blessed with many precious grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.. Her biggest blessing was meeting her second husband George Reed and his family. She cherished every moment she spent with them and was involved in any way she could in their lives. Any time her grandkids came to visit, Betty always had a sweet treat for them, usually a candy bar of some sort. However, she loved to make chocolate chip cookies and ice cream desserts for them too.

In her leisure time, Betty liked to keep her hands busy, crocheting and knitting countless baby blankets and booties using her God given talent, she was the best. Betty had a green thumb and her condo was filled with many flowers and plants. She was deeply committed to her Christian faith all of her life, and often watched Billy Graham Crusades on TV. She also enjoyed watching MASH and the Hallmark channel.

Betty had been living at Raybrook Manor for the last 3 years, where she received wonderful care by their dedicated staff. When her health began to weaken 1 week ago, Betty was moved to the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center, where she died on Monday morning, February 9, 2009, surrounded by her beloved family. All who knew and loved Betty will treasure her memory.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Frances Zweedyk, and her beloved second husband, George Reed. She is survived by her children: Ruth & Floyd VanHouten, Barbara and Bernard Drent, Betsy and David McIntyre, Mary & Mike Wileman, Carol & Peter Drent; 16 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren; her sister and brothers: Thelma (Roger) Zeinstra, Leonard (Marilyn) Zweedyk, John (Marilyn) Zweedyk; stepchildren, Teri (Daniel) Filius, George (Anita) Reed; several nieces and nephews and many friends.

A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held on Thursday, February 12, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Washington Park Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, on Wednesday, February 11, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Special thanks to the wonderful staff of Raybrook Manor for the love and care given to Betty and her family. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to Raybrook Manor. Please visit Betty’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign her online guest book or share a memory with her family, if you are unable to attend the funeral.