Betsy Mowry, 84

Elizabeth Catherine “Betsy” Mowry (Woehr) of Sturgis passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017, at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following a brief illness.
Betsy was born March 31, 1933, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to proud parents Vada L. Woehr (Reynolds) and Andrew Emil Woehr. She was the youngest of four siblings and adored by her Grandmother Reynolds, who raised her in the family home while both parents worked.
She graduated from Fort Wayne Southside High School and began her favorite career as a homemaker. Betsy loved flowers and gardening and enjoyed the hours spent arranging flowers in the Mowry Flowers family business. Her home and gardens were always filled with bright colors and beauty. She greeted guests and pets alike for years at the front desk of Dr. Mowry’s animal clinic. She never met a puppy or kitten she didn’t love. For several years, she was the receptionist for her son-in-law Tom Robertson’s law practice in Sturgis.
Her husband, Bob, her family, and her dear friends were the center of her life. Storytelling and laughter were a heartfelt part of every day. The bigger the story, the better the laugh to be shared over a chocolate latte and a scone.
She is survived by her husband, Robert L. Mowry (Bob) of Sturgis; their four children, Kim Mowry Robertson (Thomas) of Sturgis, Lisa Mowry Trosien (Thomas) of Aurora, Ill., Kristin Mowry McCray (Patrick) of Schoolcraft and Daniel Robert Mowry (Sheila) of Portage. Survivors also include six grandchildren, Lauren Robertson (Chester Martin) of New York, Marta Robertson (Mariano Alvarez) of Florida, Jenna Trosien of Illinois, Macie Trosien of Illinois, Alison Mowry of Michigan and Adam Mowry of Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her two older brothers and their spouses and a sister, Robert Woehr (Margery) of Florida, Richard Woehr (Patricia) of Kentucky and Nadine Woehr Hodell of Ohio.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A visitation for friends and family will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes at 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis. It will include storytelling and much laughter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betsy’s name to Open Door Art Gallery, 101 W. Chicago Road, Sturgis, MI 49091; or Glen Oaks Community College, 62249 Shimmel Road, Centreville, MI 49032.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.