Jeanne Barton

Some people lead a successful life even though they have a difficult beginning. Jeanne H. Barton was one of those people .She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was a hard worker; juggling many roles. She was a cook, seamstress, baker, owner of her own business and a nurse. She was strong in her Christian faith.

Born on April 5, 1919 in McGregor, Iowa to H. Fred and Leona (Kitto) Beetem, Jeanne was the third of five children. Fred and Leona tried to raise their family in East Dubuque, Illinois, but they fell on hard times. Jeanne’s older sister Rose, died as an infant, and a younger brother Ivan, died at the age of one and a half. When Jeanne was seven, her parents divorced, leaving Jeanne and her older brother Ted, and her younger sister Audrey in their father’s care. When Fred lost his job at the railroad and could no longer support the family, the three Beetem children were sent to an orphanage. These trying times helped to build Jeanne’s character and independent nature.

Jeanne attended school in Belvidere, Illinois, where she enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. Jeanne was raised by Della Wilson, her guardian, who frowned on young girls engaging in sports. but Jeanne continued to play anyway without Mrs. Wilson's knowledge. Jeanne loved basketball and baseball too much to give them up! While in high school, Jeanne found a job as a live in housekeeper. She had much responsibility keeping the home and helping to raise the children. When this same family moved to Chicago, Jeanne went with them, spending her summers in southwestern Michigan. When the duties of her employment became too much, Jeanne had to drop out of school just before graduation.

Jeanne decided it was time for a change. She quit her housekeeping job and moved to Grand Rapids, where she found employment at the Cocktail Arbor Lounge. Working at the Lounge as a waitress, Jeanne met a special young man named Robert Barton. Sparks were definitely flying after that first meeting and Jeanne and Robert started dating. Robert proudly joined the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. It was during his leave that he and Jeanne were married on February 22, 1943 in Grand Rapids at First Methodist Church. After the wedding, Jeanne moved to South Carolina where Robert was stationed.

At the war’s end, Jeanne and Robert moved back to Grand Rapids and found an apartment on Union Southeast, where they lived until 1949. In that year they bought a farm and started their family. Over the years they had three beautiful daughters: Karen, Roberta, and Anita. Along with the girls, they raised cows, chickens, and pigs on their twenty-five acre farm. Weeding the large garden was the responsibility of the girls. The girls had enough of the weeding by the end of summer and of course wished for an early frost every year!

Jeanne was a mother who reveled in being a mother. She used her skills to feed and clothe the family, making memorable meals with Sunday roast beef, wonderful meat loaf, chicken, and waldorf salad for the holidays. Not only was Jeanne a wonderful cook, she was a fantastic baker too. All the cakes, pies, cookies and bars were homemade. On top of the cooking and baking, Jeanne sewed many of her daughters’ clothes and canned during the summer. Fruits, vegetables, corn, peppers, pickles, beans and onions were all stored away for the winter months.

Jeanne and Robert were active members of Knapp Street Reformed Church. The family faithfully attended Sunday services, the Wednesday Bible Study, and youth group activities, as well as Jeanne belonging to the Women’s Guild.

Jeanne was the kind of person who couldn’t sit still; she was always busy. Not only did she take care of the house and raise the children, she also worked as a waitress at Jersey Junction Ice Cream Shop, while the girls were in high school. The family that owned the ice cream shop opened a second shop on the corner of Sweet Street and Diamond. Jeanne ran the shop at this new location, eventually buying the shop and running it herself from 1964 to 1969.

At the age of fifty-three, Jeanne decided to go back and finish high school. She proudly received her high school diploma and went on to enroll in Grand Rapids Junior College. After earning a degree as a LPN, Jeanne applied for a job at Blodgett Hospital, where she worked until her retirement at the age of sixty-five.

After retiring from Blodgett, Jeanne had a little leisure time, but still couldn’t keep still! She and Robert (who retired from the railroad) had some time to visit Jeanne’s brother in Oregon and spend some time fishing. Perch, bass, and bluegill were among Jeanne’s favorites. After they were caught and scaled, Jeanne fried them up to perfection for the whole family to enjoy.

When Jeanne and Robert became grandparents, Jeanne reveled in this new role. With her daughter Bobbie, living right next door, it was easy to see her grandchildren on a regular basis. She waited for their after-school visits with homemade cookies and a welcoming smile.

Sadly, Robert was diagnosed with a congestive heart condition that affected his health. On January 19, 1996 Robert died, leaving behind a grieving wife and family.

Following Roberts death, Jeanne took another job, this time at Meijer’s in the garden department where she could put her gardening skills to good use. Jeanne also found time to volunteer at Hospice. In Jeanne’s quieter moments, she could be found reading fiction novels along with tending her garden.

Seven years later, Jeanne was diagnosed with dementia and later alzheimers. Jeanne needed more care than she could provide for herself at home and moved into Railside Living Center in Byron Center. The move was difficult, but Jeanne soon became accustomed to her new home. This past February she developed pneumonia which greatly diminished her health.

Jeanne was a dedicated wife, mother, grandma, great grandma, sister and friend to all. She was independent, loving, and devout in her faith. She was an example to her family, who love her and will greatly miss her.

Jeanne H. Barton of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, August 16, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Robert O. Barton, her daughter Karen Sue Barton and great-granddaughter, Dana Seadorf; her siblings, Rose Beetem, Ivan Beetem, Ted Beetem and Audrey Phillips. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Roberta (Brad) Baskerville and Anita Ankrum; her grandchildren, Brian and Kenda Baskerville, Julie and Steve Seadorf, Terrence and Elizabeth Ankrum, and Jane Smith; 8 great-grandchildren; nieces nephews and many friends. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the service begins. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM at Knapp Street Reformed Church, 1425 Knapp St. Contributions in her memory may be made to Spectrum Health Hospice. To leave your own memory of her and to sign her guest book, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com