Betty A. Trenter

Betty Trenter was a woman rich in the things in life that count: a strong work ethic, a compassionate and caring heart, and above all an unconditional love for her children, her only granddaughter and family. Betty was the type of person who would do anything for her family and friends. She made her family her life's work. Her years of devotion afforded her both a happy place in life and a family that loved her dearly. The year was 1921, when Allan and Myrtle (Beach) Lowe of Muskegon, Michigan, delighted in welcoming the birth of their daughter, Betty Allan, on June 30. Already the proud parents of two girls, Jane and Margaret, the family was hoping for a boy and Betty's oldest sister, Jane, had picked the name Allan, after her father. However, when baby Betty arrived, they didn't think they would ever have a boy so they simply made Allan, Betty's middle name. Much to their delight, the family later grew to include a son they named Allan as well as another daughter named Ruth. Betty and her siblings lived in their family home on Lakeshore Drive in Muskegon . Despite the economic hardships of the Great Depression, Betty's parents provided a healthy and stable home for their children. During the depression, her family moved to a small farm in Claybanks which thankfully provided food for the family. With a fairly large family, they didn't have much, so the children had to entertain themselves. Their mother taught them to depend on each other and get along, which helped them to have a lot of fun together. Her parents also made sure the children learned responsibility by pitching in with chores, though Betty remembered her father letting her tag along with him and help with whatever he was doing. Her father also instilled in his children the value of honesty and helping others. As a young girl, Betty spending her leisure time reading, particularly western serials, fairy tales and Amos & Andy. In the winter months, she loved to strap on the old time skates, which clamped to your shoe for some ice-skating, and her greatest summertime goal was to learn to ride a bike. Betty attended the nearby school of Nims , where her aunt, Margaret Beach, was her first grade teacher. She went on to graduate from Whitehall High School in 1939, and then went to work at Pitkin's in Whitehall and Continental Motors in Muskegon . At the time, there was a great shortage of nurses in the area so the U.S. Army paid the Sisters at Mercy Hospital to train new nurses. Betty entered the Mercy School of Nursing in Muskegon in 1940, and received her certification as a Registered Nurse 3 years later. During her residency at nursing school, Betty met her future husband, Thomas John Trenter, at his repair shop in Whitehall . Tom had a job at Continental Motors and was living at the YMCA in Muskegon . On their first date, the couple took in a movie and had hot fudges sundaes at the Occidental Hotel afterwards. Over the next five years, while their love for each other blossomed, they enjoyed their time together, going to movies, fishing and being with Betty's family. Betty and Tom were married on May 8, 1948, at the Whitehall Congregational Church, and then set off for a honeymoon in Chicago , unfortunately during a bad storm. The newlyweds settled into married life in an apartment on Lakeshore Drive , which overlooked Muskegon Lake . A year later, they moved to River Road for a while before residing on Pine Street . By 1950, Betty had started her nursing career at Mercy Hospital , which would span the next 30 years; she retired in 1980. Though Betty worked hard as a nurse, there was nothing more important to her than her three children: Betsy, Barb, and Tom. Each of their births added yet another incredible blessing to her life. In 1956, the family moved to Fenner Road in Laketon Township , where Betty and Tom lovingly raised their children. Although most people knew Betty as a nurse, to her children she was a loving mother and great teacher, who was always there for them. By example, she taught them the things that matter in life, like working hard and treating people with respect, but also taught them handy skills like sewing, knitting and playing piano. Time together as a family was always important, and they took many family vacations to places like Florida , Minnesota , California , and trips throughout Michigan . They also have many fond memories of their trips to the cottages at Hessel in the Upper Peninsula . Betty and Tom also spent time traveling throughout Europe , the Western United States , Canada , and Hawaii . Although Betty was a big help to many people as a nurse, her son Tom remembers trying to hide many of his childhood injuries from her, hoping to avoid being poked and prodded. Most of the time, the scrapes and cuts were simply doused with an antiseptic and he was sent on his way. Later in life, Betty was blessed with her only grandchild, Samantha, whom she adored. She took her role as grandmother to heart and did everything she possibly could to spoil her granddaughter. From playing games, watching movies, eating ice cream and cookies and going miniature golfing together, Betty cherished every moment with her granddaughter. Betty was a woman of many talents. She loved to cook from scratch and was an excellent seamstress. She did needlework and enjoyed tending her garden. Although saddened by the loss of her husband Tom on November 24, 1992, Betty continued to remain active and live independently. She had many fond memories of a cruise to Alaska in 1993 with her daughter Barb. She was an active member of the Don Rea VFW Post #8846, Ladies Auxiliary and the Widows Group at Hackley Hospital . Betty enjoyed playing golf. She attended the First Congregational Church. Betty was always very sociable, but it is her warm and caring heart that touched the lives of many. She will be deeply missed. Betty A. Trenter, age 84, of North Muskegon, MI , died on Friday, February 10, 2006. Surviving is her son, Thomas A. (Mary Jo) Trenter of Muskegon, MI; 2 daughters, Betsy (Wesley) White of Grand Rapids, MI, and Barb Trenter of Kalamazoo, MI ; and 1 granddaughter, Samantha Trenter. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas Trenter, 1 brother and 3 sisters. Visitation with Betty's family will be on Sunday, February 12, from 2-4 p.m. at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Muskegon . A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 13, at 2 p.m. also at the funeral home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Betty, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in her memory.