Betty Beatrice Hanson, 84, of Union City, celebrated a Heavenly homecoming on April 3, 2020 after passing away at Select Specialty Hospital in Battle Creek.
A public visitation for relatives and close friends only will be held from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City. Funeral home staff will closely monitor the number of guests in the building to comply with the state executive orders. A private graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Union City. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Betty was born on the farm to Ellen (Doland) and Harry Weller of Burlington on Dec. 6, 1935, during the Great Depression and was the only girl with three brothers, Charles, Elmer Jr, and Earl. She attended the Burlington Church of God and loved the Lord with all her heart. On Nov 3, 1951 Betty married the love of her life, Virgil Hanson, in Burlington, sharing this anniversary date with her in-laws, Cecil and Lillian Hanson.
Betty and Virgil shared a very adventurous life together. Raising three children, camping, and traveling with family and grandchildren. Visiting 49 out of 50 states, she liked collecting rocks wherever they went. This included many cruise trips to the Caribbean and their favorite cruise to Alaska. They enjoyed being snowbirds in Zephyrhills, FL with old friends and making new ones.
Betty led a busy life. She worked a full time job as a master seamstress at Denton Mills in Centreville until that plant closed in 1988. Betty also worked at JC Penney in Battle Creek, MI as a salesperson from 1989, retiring in 1998. Many of her grandkids wore clothes she created at home from patterns hand-cut from newspapers. Betty would create pants and shirts from those patterns in minutes. She spent many hours making quilts for her family. She kept a garden, canning and freezing vegetables and fruits. She made many recipes of tasty pickles, hand-made pies and cakes.
Betty is survived by Virgil, her husband of 68 years; her brother, Earl Weller of Burlington; children: Suzanne (Stephen) Soncrant of Belleville, Virginia “Jenny” Avery of Otsego and Michael W. Hanson of Union City; 10 grandchildren: Lori (Kurt) Schlichting, Christy (Ed) Damon, Josiah Soncrant, Jonathan Soncrant, Holly (Don) Ash, Ryan (Rebekah) Rarick, Andrew Rarick, Micheala (Joe) Ray, Danielle (Nate) Nichols and Michael B. Hanson; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great granddaughters; and another one due in June. She is also survived by her friends Ed and LaDeama Phelps, Tim and Heidi Hehr.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Charles and Elmer Jr. Weller, an infant grandson Jarred Rarick, and a son in law Rick Shafer.
