Betty J. Begeman

December 23, 1927 - March 18, 2022

Betty J. Begeman, 94, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2022 at home with her children by her side. Betty was born on December 23, 1927 in St. Johns, MI to the late Theodore “Tick” and Maxine (Lance) Nye. On June 21,1946 Betty married her sweetheart Arthur “Art” Begeman. Together they raised their two children, Bonnie and Jim, in Lansing, MI. In her youth, Betty enjoyed playing the guitar and dancing. She attended school in St. Johns through the ninth grade when she moved to Lansing. She graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in June 1945. Betty was a proud housewife and mom while her children were young. She later went on to work for the State of Michigan, beginning with the Secretary of State, and finally with the Department of Military Affairs. Betty and Art both retired in 1980 and moved to Traverse City with Betty’s mother Maxine in 1981. Betty was a member of the Amity-Lansing Chapter #490, Order of the Eastern Star where she served as the chapter organist for many years. She also shared her musical talents by serving as the director of music and organist for Lansing Bethel #58, International Order of Job’s Daughters, while her daughter was a member as a teenager. Betty was a member of the American Business Women’s Association in both Lansing and Traverse City. She also enjoyed her membership in the “Red Hat Society” and the “Betty Club” in Traverse City. Betty and Art had many friends and enjoyed socializing at the Traverse City Elks Lodge as well as with their beloved neighbors on Lillian Lane and June Court. Betty was a huge football fan, especially of the Dallas Cowboys coached by Tom Landry as well as her hometown Michigan State Spartans. Shopping was a favorite pastime, especially if it involved a trip to Jacobson’s or the mall! She loved dogs, a passion she inherited from her parents and has passed on to the rest of her family. Betty will be fondly remembered as a wonderful and kind friend to many, a caring daughter, and a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was immensely proud of her family, and it was always reflected in her words and actions. Surviving Betty is her daughter Bonnie (Stan) Simons of Traverse City, son James “Jim” Begeman of Traverse City, granddaughter Ann (Blake) Holt of Holt, great granddaughter Erin Nicole Holt, sister-in-law Bonnie Smith, and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends. Betty is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Art, her parents, and her granddaughter Amy Lynne Simons. The family is especially thankful for the many neighbors and friends who have shared their love and friendship with both Betty and Art during their years in Traverse City. A funeral service celebrating Betty’s life will take place at 11 a.m., on Friday, March 25 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a visitation beginning at 10am. Burial will take place at 11am on Monday, March 28, 2022 at Deepdale Cemetery in Lansing, MI next to Art. Memorial contributions may be directed to a charity of your choice. Kindly share thoughts and memories with her family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.