Betty Arlene (Kauffman) Swartzentruber from Turner, Michigan, formerly from Midland passed away at the age of 96 on Wednesday, October 19 at Iosco Medical Care Facility in Tawas City, Michigan.
Betty was born April 3, 1926 to Nobel & Minnie (Yoder) Kauffman in Midland, Michigan. She was one of eight children. She attended different country schools and went thru the 8th Grade. Betty was a good student, especially liking reading and spelling.
After completing 8th Grade, she worked cleaning houses in Midland. Betty helped on the family farm where she learned to cook from her mother. She was a pie maker, baker and enjoyed looking thru cookbooks trying new recipes. Her childhood seemed to be rather hard as they moved to a number of places during her early years. A fire destroyed one of their houses and the family lived with her grandparents for a time. At Christmas she would get a few pieces of candy for a gift and a log wrapped in a piece of cloth was her doll.
On December 19, 1948 she married Samuel Swartzentruber after which they moved to Turner, Michigan where they rented a farm. She was a homemaker and together on the farm they had three daughters, Charlene, Sandy, and Linda.
In 1956, they bought a house not too far from the farm. She worked hard…planting a garden, canning and freezing and cooking. In addition, two sons, LaVon and Kevin were born. She also was the bookkeeper for Sam’s Construction until her husband passed away in 2008.
Betty had many hobbies. They included cooking, traveling, camping, puzzles, games, search-a-word, reading and collecting Cardinals. Traveling was one of her favorites. Sam and Betty enjoyed camping. Their family camping trips were sometimes a little primitive until they found the enjoyment of owning a motorhome. They traveled to the Western States, Alaska twice, and Florida.
In later years, after Sam passed away, she took many trips with her daughter, son-in-law, her sister, and sister-in-law. Together they traveled a week trip thru the Southern states , a two week trip to the New England states in the fall , and short weekend or day trips in Michigan.
Florida became her second home where her and her husband, Sam, would spend their winter months in Arcadia. They bought a piece of land and worked hard clearing it and bought a single wide mobile home that was more of a permanent place instead of trying to stay in their motor home during the winter.
After the devastation of Hurricane Charlie, they were not sure whether to give up or rebuild. Together they rebuilt putting a double wide mobile home on their property. The people in Arcadia and Pine Creek Chapel, where they attended in the winter, became some of her very close friends.
Betty was a member of the Riverside Mennonite Church in Au Gres. She was a Sunday School Teacher, Bible School Teacher and served on the Food Committee for a number of years.
Even in her later years, she was asked to help peel apples for the yearly Relief Sale or to cut up vegetables for the Youth Group Harvest Dinner. She attended there regularly until the time of her admission to the Skilled Nursing Facility.
She is survived by two daughters, Charlene (Joe) Castiglia, Sandra (David) Moe and two sons, LaVon (Fonda) Swartzentruber, and Kevin (Shawn) Swartzentruber. Also surving are: Son-in-Law, Ken (Sue) Swartz; Brother and Sister-in-Law, Larry (Lois) Kauffman; Sister-in- Law, Bernice Kauffman; and Sister-in-Law, Mildred Kauffman; Grandchildren: Angela, Gina, Derek, Leslie, Brandon, Brooke, Ethan, Reana; Great-Grandchildren: Morgan, Caden, Siena ,Hope, Selah, Cameron, Regan, Peyton, Kylie, Vincent, Liberty and Beatrice; and many beloved Nieces and Nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Sam Swartzentruber; a daughter, Linda Swartz and a granddaughter, Nicole Swartz; Daughter-in- Law, Kimberly Swartzentruber; Parents, Nobel and Minnie Kauffman; Brothers, Archie, Delmar, Willard, and Herman Kauffman ; Sisters, Mamie Kauffman and Shirley Oaks.
Visitation will take place at Riverside Mennonite Church, Au Gres Sunday, October 23, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Monday 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Funeral is 11:00 a.m. on Monday at Riverside Mennonite Church. Betty will be laid to rest in the Sims-Whitney Cemetery.
Those wishing to express their love and support are encouraged to leave a message for her family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.
