Betty Jo Westerkamp

Betty Jo (Waddle) Westerkamp passed away peacefully, June 8, 2019. At the time of her death, she was a resident at Island City Assisted Living in Eaton Rapids, Michigan where for the past four years was treated with love and respect. She was born and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Betty met her future husband Bernie on a blind date while he was playing baseball for the Oklahoma Indians. Shortly after their marriage they moved to St Joseph, Michigan so Bernie could play baseball for Waldo Tiscornia's Industry League while Betty worked for the Heath Company. In the Summer of 1967, the family moved to Marshall, Michigan where Betty worked in the school system and State Farm Insurance which she retired from. Betty and Bernie enjoyed 62 years together before his passing in 2010. They were fortunate to have traveled extensively through the United States, Europe, Hawaii and a number of cruises. They both loved to golf and through the years were members at Marshall County Club, Duck Lake Country Club and upon retiring to Englewood, Florida joined Oyster Creek Golf and Country Club. Betty was a very talented person with many interests. She loved decorating, doing all her own painting and wallpapering and was an extremely talented gardener with beautiful gardens at all of their homes. She was extremely talented as a seamstress making beautiful clothes for herself, their children and others. She loved fishing and it was not unusual to find her at the end of their dock while living at Duck Lake. Later in life Betty took up painting, even being commissioned by some to do paintings of flowers, birds, landscapes and light houses. Her children jokingly referred to her as Grandma Moses since she didn't start painting until well into her 60's. Betty will be missed by many, but none more than her family. Daughters Kay (Dave) Rodgers, Gail (Terry) Doll and son Cary. Grandsons Matthew (Sara) Rodgers and Maxwell Rodgers; Great grandchildren Sam, Margaret, John Paul, Ceci and Gus, brother Jack Waddle and brother-in-law Ralph Westerkamp. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother. There will be a family celebration of her life later this summer. Anyone wishing to honor Betty's life may do so by making a donation in her name to McLaren Hospice of Lansing Michigan.