Betty De Jonge

Age 88, died peacefully on April 11, 2021. Betty was born January 11, 1933 in Muskegon, the daughter of Ervin and Marion (Popps) Johnson. A Coleman stove or a good fire pit were all it took for Betty to put her cooking talents to good use. She loved nothing more than whipping up a hearty campsite breakfast for her family and friends. A social butterfly, Betty often played host to many. Whether camping or entertaining at home, nobody left hungry. While she loved tending to the details of these events, she also masterfully delegated to her kids the parts she didn’t want to do, like endlessly peeling potatoes. Betty was just as happy spending her crocheting on her couch as she was fishing or hunting. Her husband, Rodger, drove the deer towards her spot to make sure she had a good shot. They also made sure to bring all of the kids ice fishing when they could so they could increase their catch limit. Of course, processing the deer or cleaning the fish was always to the family’s delight.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Rodger; siblings: Vern Johnson, Bill Johnson, Joyce Clark, Marilyn Wentzlof, and Dick Johnson. Surviving are her favorite dog, Zoey; children: Ronda (Dennis) Koetje, Robert (Tami) De Jonge, Becky (David) Hill, and Peggy (Lon) Brugh; 7 grandchildren: Rachel (Eric), Audrey (Pat), Erica (Tyler), Jessica (Brandon), Jennifer, Chad, and Kyle; 8 great-grandchildren: A.J., Alison, Maddie, Max, Brady, Carly, Blake, and Ben; brothers-in-law: Rich De Jonge and Don Wentzlof; sisters-in-law: Shirley Hogan, Linda Johnson, Ellen Johnson, and Gloria De Jonge; many nieces and nephews; and a special friend and handyman, Fred Cochran. Cremation has taken place. Private burial at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Visit Betty’s personal webpage at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com where you may archive a favorite memory or photo, and sign her online guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA of Southwest Michigan. Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900.