Betty Joyce Herman, loving mom, grandma, great grandma and great great, passed away following 90 years of a life well lived Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis surrounded by family.
A memorial service will be held Monday, April 8, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home in Bronson with Deacon John Wielgos officiating.
Visitation will be held that morning from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home.
Betty was born March 20, 1934, to Noel and Alice (Rubley) Albright in Gilead Township where she had to walk to school 5 miles in the rain in the first new dress she ever had.
She was a graduate of Bronson High School, class of 1952 and it’s there she met the love of her life, Jim Herman. They were married October 9, 1954 and happily raised their family in their hometown after dad’s stint in the army.
Betty was a proud and accomplished homemaker and mother as she raised her 5 children. Sharon (Bruce) Betzler of Cedar, MI, Karen (Mark) Cary of Burr Oak, MI, Al Herman of Ramrod Key, FL, Bob (Kim) Herman of NewBraunfels,TX, Beth (David McCollum) Herman of Kalamazoo, MI. Most of them have forgiven her for the white fiberglass Christmas tree with all blue ornaments.
In 1971 Betty began her working career as an administrative assistant with Jack B. Tighe Incorporated until her retirement after many dedicated years. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the St. Mary’s Rosary Society. Betty also served as a member of the Gilead Lake Association and was one of the original members elected to the first St. Mary’s School Board.
She enjoyed birdwatching, crafting (ask us about the feather years) and cooking and she took great pride in recreating the Polish recipes handed down from the Herman family. Betty was an accomplished seamstress having made many wedding and bridesmaids dresses as well as much of her family’s clothing. She crocheted throughout her life and made sure that every grandchild and great grandchild had their own hand made baby blanket.
The kids were her greatest source of joy and would brighten her face regardless of her circumstances.
Besides her children Betty is survived by ; her sister Janet (Bob) Beals of Centreville, MI; her brothers and sisters in law; her grandchildren Cristi, Eric, Joe, Adam, David, Travis, Dusty, Ella, Noel; her great grandchildren Clare, Kate, Makayala, Alex,Brennan, Wyatt, Violet, Sadie, Alani; her great-great grandchildren Charlie and Palmer; her many loving nieces and nephews, and an especially caring family friend Carla Gadson of Sturgis, MI.
In addition to her husband James, who preceded her in death on May 13, 2014, Betty was preceded in death by her great-great grandson Tucker; her brothers Gordon Albright and Gary Albright, and daughter in law Alice Herman.
Donations can be made to St. Mary’s Assumption School in Bronson.
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