Bette Jane Boothby

Bette Jane Boothby passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Lakeland Hospital. A celebration of her life will be held at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, at 11 am on Tuesday, October 8, 2013. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 7 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Starks & Menchinger Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Those wishing to sign Bette’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bette was born on December 24, 1926 to Wayne and Blanche Johnston of Flossmoor, Illinois. She was a graduate of Thorton High School in Harvey, Illinois and attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. This is where she met her husband, Bryce C. Boothby on a blind date to a Michigan football game. Bryce and Bette were married on June 18, 1949 and have six children. Bette was a successful homemaker and an avid volunteer in various charitable organizations. During her years in Flossmoor, she was active in the Chicago Suburban Parent Teachers Organization at schools where her children attended prior to moving to the Twin Cities area in 1978. She continued to volunteer in the Twin City community; past president of the Indian Hills Garden Club, member of the Southwest Michigan Symphony League and also a member of the Monday Musical Club. Bette was also a long time member of the PEO sisterhood, most recently a member of the DV chapter in St.Joseph, Michigan. Bette is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bryce C. Boothby; five of her children Bryce C, Boothby Jr. (Cathy), Diane Boothby, James M. Boothby (Debra), Wayne C. Boothby (Elizabeth) and Laurie Eichelman (Paul); daughter-in-law Judy Boothby; twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Bette was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Wayne A, Johnston, Jr, and son Russel E. Boothby.