Betty Hellenga Martin, 94, of Three Oaks, crossed over to her heavenly home on November 4, 2017, peacefully surrounded by her loved ones, at the family’s sesquicentennial farm.
Betty Deane, the oldest of three children, was born to Dora (Scheevel) and Fred Hellenga on June 24, 1923 at the family home, two miles north of Three Oaks, Michigan.
On April 4, 1945, in a double-ring ceremony with her sister, she married the love of her life, Robert Franklin Martin, and began to build their family, three miles south of Three Oaks.
Betty knew the value of a hard day’s work, and began her career at the Warren Featherbone Factory in town. She continued working over the years with the U.S. Census Bureau, and as a bookkeeper for many local businesses and churches. Her volunteer work for the local food pantry and ambulance continues, as a part of her legacy, through her children and grandchildren.
She was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church of Three Oaks (The Gathering), where she served as a teacher, pianist, choir member and consistory member, with a true servant’s heart. It was here that she sowed the seeds of her family’s love of music and fellowship.
Betty could always be found in her kitchen, where she fed a houseful with one chicken, doled out daily vitamins, kept the coffee on and the peanut butter jar handy, and reminded the kids to throw the scraps ‘under’ the electric fence! Her family’s health, wellbeing and safety always came first. Her faith in God and her focus on family will nourish her loved ones for generations to come.
As a young mother, Betty tried her hand at raising chickens, but she was most successful at raising a different brood.
She is survived by her ten loving children: Linda and George Mangold – Three Oaks; Donna and Jim Wood – Reading, PA; Janis and Bruce Zylstra – North Fort Myers, FL; Nancy and Dennis Love – Grand Ridge, FL; Karen Martin – Houston, TX; Robert W. and Kathy Martin – Three Oaks; Sandy and Alan Price – Sawyer; Gary and Gayle Martin – Three Oaks; Gayle and Jim Hagenbarth – Three Oaks; and Fredrick Martin – Chicago, IL.
Her devoted 15 grandchildren: Pam Love, Colleen Kielton, Kristin (Mike) Row, Michelle (Wes) Wolke, Kelly (DJ) Skelton, Angie (Rich) Smith, Scott (Annette) Mangold, Jason Martin, Vanessa (Ken) Buttery, Cara (Mike) Bettig, Kim (Adam) Fossum, Danielle (Todd) Gibson, Margaret (Esther Ikoro) Martin, Tom (Allison) Martin, and Joshua (Casey Forker) Hagenbarth.
Her blessed 32 great grandchildren: Dennis, Ben, Carl, and Joe Kielton; Lucas, Kyle and Eric Row; Amanda LaYacona and Kelly Wolke; Meghan and Libby Gillette; Maddie and Elijah Smith; Garrett and Emma Mangold; Anyssa, Brittany and Jason Martin; Kenny, Cooper, Cullen and Camden Buttery; Aiden, Grace, Evy, Violet and Michael Bettig; Caroline Fossum; Charlie, Neela, Garrison, and Drew Gibson – and her great, great granddaughter Emily LaYacona.
Her dear sisters-in-law: Dorothy (Eldon) Hellenga and Esther (Jerry) Thomas, of Three Oaks, and many, many loving nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, her sister and brother-in-law June and Verlyn Dornink, her brother Eldon Hellenga, her grandsons Matt Gillette and Kerry Love, and her great granddaughter Deja Martin.
Betty could never throw away gift wrap. She taught that food is best when shared (especially ham), that reading soothes a troubled mind, and that being with family will warm a home, even when the stove fire is low. Above all else, she left us with the gift of knowing that a giving, sharing, and compassionate heart will receive God’s perfect grace though Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
Visitation with family and friends will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 106 Ash Street, East, Three Oaks, Michigan.
Funerals services will be held at 12 Noon on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at the Three Oaks United Methodist Church, with a one hour visitation prior to the service. A luncheon at the church will follow a private family burial at Posey Chapel Cemetery in Galena Township, Indiana.
A very special Thank You from the family to Caring Circle Hospice for their kindness, support and guidance.
Memorial donations in Betty’s name gratefully accepted and appreciated by the family to the following organizations: Caring Circle Hospice, 4025 Health Park Lane, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085; Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry, 6 South Elm Street, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128; Three Oaks Emergency Vehicle Association, 21 South Elm Street, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Pobocik Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Three Oaks, Michigan.