Aged 86, died December 26, 2002 at her home in Portland in the bedroom where she was born on September 14, 1916.
Betty was graduated from Portland High School in 1934 as valedictorian of her class and from Michigan State University in 1938.
She worked for the State of Michigan as a social worker until 1942, when she entered Women's Army Corps. She completed Officer's Candidate School and was commissioned on November 7, 1942. She served as executive officer for WAC companies in San Francisco and New York City. She trained a unit of Puerto Rican WAC's and was consulted by Eleanor Roosevelt on the prospects for Puerto Rican women playing a more active role in the governance of their Commonwealth in the post-war world.
She married Richard A. Anesi of Durango, CO., on November 6, 1943, and as an army wife, lived in Germany and many places in the U.S. before returning in 1967 to Portland, MI.
She served as Librarian of the Portland Public Library for many years and was active in the First Congregational Church of Portland, Ladies Literary Society, Portland Civic Players, Portland and Ionia County Historical Societies, various heritage societies including the Mary and John Society, and other organizations.
She co-authored the 1969 Portland Centennial Book, and was widely consulted on matters of local history. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and travel.
In her later years, she maintained an avid interest in politics, particularly with regard to issues concerning women's rights and the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
She loved children, read aloud and performed puppet shows for children in the Library's summer programs, taught confirmation classes at the First Congregational Church, and tutored school children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles L. and Minnie E. (Martin) Crane, her husband, brothers Don and Edwin Crane, sisters Irene and Elsie Crane, and sister Gertrude (Crane) Larmer.
Surviving are her son, Michael R. Anesi daughter, Elizabeth A. Schaefer (Stephen) grandsons, Edward and Benjamin Schaefer son, Charles C. Anesi (Diane) granddaughter, Jeanette C. Anesi and grandsons, Richard H. and John T. Anesi.
Betty will be missed as a link to the history of the village in which she spent most of her life as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and as one of a great generation of Americans.
Memorial Service will be 11 AM Saturday, December 28 at the First Congregational Church in Portland, with Reverends Marilyn V. Danielson and Eleanor Morrison officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Congregational Church of Portland, The Leaven Center (P.O. Box 23233, Lansing, MI 48909), or the Portland Public Library. Arrangements by Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.
Residence: 423 Smith St.
Betty was graduated from Portland High School in 1934 as valedictorian of her class and from Michigan State University in 1938.
She worked for the State of Michigan as a social worker until 1942, when she entered Women's Army Corps. She completed Officer's Candidate School and was commissioned on November 7, 1942. She served as executive officer for WAC companies in San Francisco and New York City. She trained a unit of Puerto Rican WAC's and was consulted by Eleanor Roosevelt on the prospects for Puerto Rican women playing a more active role in the governance of their Commonwealth in the post-war world.
She married Richard A. Anesi of Durango, CO., on November 6, 1943, and as an army wife, lived in Germany and many places in the U.S. before returning in 1967 to Portland, MI.
She served as Librarian of the Portland Public Library for many years and was active in the First Congregational Church of Portland, Ladies Literary Society, Portland Civic Players, Portland and Ionia County Historical Societies, various heritage societies including the Mary and John Society, and other organizations.
She co-authored the 1969 Portland Centennial Book, and was widely consulted on matters of local history. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and travel.
In her later years, she maintained an avid interest in politics, particularly with regard to issues concerning women's rights and the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
She loved children, read aloud and performed puppet shows for children in the Library's summer programs, taught confirmation classes at the First Congregational Church, and tutored school children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles L. and Minnie E. (Martin) Crane, her husband, brothers Don and Edwin Crane, sisters Irene and Elsie Crane, and sister Gertrude (Crane) Larmer.
Surviving are her son, Michael R. Anesi daughter, Elizabeth A. Schaefer (Stephen) grandsons, Edward and Benjamin Schaefer son, Charles C. Anesi (Diane) granddaughter, Jeanette C. Anesi and grandsons, Richard H. and John T. Anesi.
Betty will be missed as a link to the history of the village in which she spent most of her life as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and as one of a great generation of Americans.
Memorial Service will be 11 AM Saturday, December 28 at the First Congregational Church in Portland, with Reverends Marilyn V. Danielson and Eleanor Morrison officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Congregational Church of Portland, The Leaven Center (P.O. Box 23233, Lansing, MI 48909), or the Portland Public Library. Arrangements by Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.
Residence: 423 Smith St.
Aged 86, died December 26, 2002 at her home in Portland in the bedroom where she was born on September 14, 1916.
Betty was graduated from Portland High School in 1934 as valedictorian of her class and from Michigan State University in 1938.
She worked for the State of Michigan as a social worker until 1942, when she entered Women's Army Corps. She completed Officer's Candidate School and was commissioned on November 7, 1942. She served as executive officer for WAC companies in San Francisco and New York City. She trained a unit of Puerto Rican WAC's and was consulted by Eleanor Roosevelt on the prospects for Puerto Rican women playing a more active role in the governance of their Commonwealth in the post-war world.
She married Richard A. Anesi of Durango, CO., on November 6, 1943, and as an army wife, lived in Germany and many places in the U.S. before returning in 1967 to Portland, MI.
She served as Librarian of the Portland Public Library for many years and was active in the First Congregational Church of Portland, Ladies Literary Society, Portland Civic Players, Portland and Ionia County Historical Societies, various heritage societies including the Mary and John Society, and other organizations.
She co-authored the 1969 Portland Centennial Book, and was widely consulted on matters of local history. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and travel.
In her later years, she maintained an avid interest in politics, particularly with regard to issues concerning women's rights and the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
She loved children, read aloud and performed puppet shows for children in the Library's summer programs, taught confirmation classes at the First Congregational Church, and tutored school children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles L. and Minnie E. (Martin) Crane, her husband, brothers Don and Edwin Crane, sisters Irene and Elsie Crane, and sister Gertrude (Crane) Larmer.
Surviving are her son, Michael R. Anesi daughter, Elizabeth A. Schaefer (Stephen) grandsons, Edward and Benjamin Schaefer son, Charles C. Anesi (Diane) granddaughter, Jeanette C. Anesi and grandsons, Richard H. and John T. Anesi.
Betty will be missed as a link to the history of the village in which she spent most of her life as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and as one of a great generation of Americans.
Memorial Service will be 11 AM Saturday, December 28 at the First Congregational Church in Portland, with Reverends Marilyn V. Danielson and Eleanor Morrison officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Congregational Church of Portland, The Leaven Center (P.O. Box 23233, Lansing, MI 48909), or the Portland Public Library. Arrangements by Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.
Residence: 423 Smith St.
Betty was graduated from Portland High School in 1934 as valedictorian of her class and from Michigan State University in 1938.
She worked for the State of Michigan as a social worker until 1942, when she entered Women's Army Corps. She completed Officer's Candidate School and was commissioned on November 7, 1942. She served as executive officer for WAC companies in San Francisco and New York City. She trained a unit of Puerto Rican WAC's and was consulted by Eleanor Roosevelt on the prospects for Puerto Rican women playing a more active role in the governance of their Commonwealth in the post-war world.
She married Richard A. Anesi of Durango, CO., on November 6, 1943, and as an army wife, lived in Germany and many places in the U.S. before returning in 1967 to Portland, MI.
She served as Librarian of the Portland Public Library for many years and was active in the First Congregational Church of Portland, Ladies Literary Society, Portland Civic Players, Portland and Ionia County Historical Societies, various heritage societies including the Mary and John Society, and other organizations.
She co-authored the 1969 Portland Centennial Book, and was widely consulted on matters of local history. She was a voracious reader, and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and travel.
In her later years, she maintained an avid interest in politics, particularly with regard to issues concerning women's rights and the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
She loved children, read aloud and performed puppet shows for children in the Library's summer programs, taught confirmation classes at the First Congregational Church, and tutored school children.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles L. and Minnie E. (Martin) Crane, her husband, brothers Don and Edwin Crane, sisters Irene and Elsie Crane, and sister Gertrude (Crane) Larmer.
Surviving are her son, Michael R. Anesi daughter, Elizabeth A. Schaefer (Stephen) grandsons, Edward and Benjamin Schaefer son, Charles C. Anesi (Diane) granddaughter, Jeanette C. Anesi and grandsons, Richard H. and John T. Anesi.
Betty will be missed as a link to the history of the village in which she spent most of her life as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and as one of a great generation of Americans.
Memorial Service will be 11 AM Saturday, December 28 at the First Congregational Church in Portland, with Reverends Marilyn V. Danielson and Eleanor Morrison officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Congregational Church of Portland, The Leaven Center (P.O. Box 23233, Lansing, MI 48909), or the Portland Public Library. Arrangements by Schrauben-Lehman Funeral Home, Portland.
Residence: 423 Smith St.
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