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Elizabeth “Bette” Lillian Lawrence, age 100, of Sturgis, passed away late Saturday evening, April 20, 2024 at Thurston Woods Villa in Sturgis.
She was born January 1, 1924, in Centreville, daughter of the late Raymond and Hilda (Lublow) Reed.
Bette resided her whole life in the Centreville and Sturgis area and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1941. She continued her education at the University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor where she received her certificate as a registered nurse.
On February 3, 1946, she married James Hollie Lawrence, Jr. in Sturgis. He preceded her in death December 12, 1996.
She worked as a registered nurse for a few years at Sturgis Hospital, Walter’s Nursing Home, Dr. Samuel Fiegel’s office, and private duty nursing, and was a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corp. Bette would tell you that she was mostly a dedicated mother and homemaker.
She was a lifelong member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis where she was active in the Ladies Aid and Altar Guild. Bette was always ready to volunteer her time and be involved in the community, something she did well into her 90s. Some of her involvements included: Sturgis Woman’s Club, Sturgis Band and Orchestra Parents, Sturgis Hospital Medical Scholarship and Gift Shop Guilds, the Crisis Center of St. Joseph County, one of the original organizers of the Substance Abuse Council of St. Joseph County, Hospice Care in its beginning years, and co-director of the Pregnancy Helpline for the first five years of the organization’s existence.
Bette was honored as Sturgis Citizen of the year in 1975 and was runner up for Michigan Mother of the Year in 1976. She enjoyed knitting, canning (from Hollie’s prolific gardens), playing cards, pinochle with the long-standing Pinochle Club and euchre with her church group and was an avid seamstress. In 1984 she and Hollie traveled around the world and at the age of 89 she enjoyed a hot air balloon ride.
She and Hollie were very involved in foster care and over the years brought over 14 children into their home.
She is survived by four daughters: Cindy (Richard) Heine of Lexington, Kentucky, Claudia Lawrence-Le of Portage, LeAnn (Michael) Lampen of Kalamazoo, and Mary (Greg) Stephan of Mansfield, Ohio; one son: James Hollie “Luckie” (Gloria) Lawrence, III of Omaha, Nebraska; 22 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; special cousin: Linda (Reed) Gunn of Hopewell, Pennsylvania and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, stepfather: Clifford C. Shira, brother: James W. Reed, son-in-law: Quang Le, and infant great grandchildren: Mina Katherine Griffith and Bei Bloore.
The family would like to extend our deep appreciation to the staff at Thurston Woods, both the Villa and Nursing Center and Heartland Hospice for their excellent and loving care, and the many kindnesses of friends and church family.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, April 26th at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis and 10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 27th at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 S. Lakeview Ave. in Sturgis where funeral services will immediately follow the visitation at 11:00 A.M. The Revs. Calvin Kolzow and Larry Matro will officiate. A graveside committal will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Bette’s memory consider Trinity Lutheran Church, 405 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Pregnancy Helpline 1125 N. Nottawa Street, Sturgis, MI 49091.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
