Betty Lou Anderson, much-beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and mother-in law (and also avid knitter and birdwatcher) died on Sunday, November 19, 2023 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was 89 years old.

Mrs. Anderson was born Betty Lou Larson on August 21, 1934 in Hannibal, Missouri, the third child of Oscar, an accountant, and Nellie Larson, a homemaker. (Her siblings, Bob and Mary, predeceased her.)

Betty made two big moves with her family, first to Cincinnati, Ohio, and later to Grand Rapids. There she attended Central High School, where she met James (Jim) Anderson. They married in 1954 and had three children: Michael, Sharon and Susan. Early in her marriage, Betty worked for an insurance company and for J.C. Penney. When Jim co-founded AnderMel Tool and Die Co. in 1969, she joined the company to run the office. Upon retirement, Betty converted her longtime love of outdoor life into a passion for birdwatching. She and Jim pursued this hobby through Alaska, Texas, Newfoundland, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and other birding hotspots. Betty similarly transformed her zeal for knitting —family members treasure the afghans and baby blankets she created for them—into a service project: she knitted hats for newborn infants at the hospital where she volunteered.

By far, however, Betty's greatest devotion was to her family. She and Jim had eight grandchildren: Christy, John, Neeltje (Nellie), Chelsie, Andrea, Tarra, Valerie and Bradley. They also had 14 great-grandchildren: Bradley Jr., Hailey, Kylie, Eleanor, Samuel, Aiden, Madeleine, Isabel, Paisley, Elizabeth, Rick, (R.J.) Valerie Jade and James. Betty found ways to stay connected with their lives: visiting, talking and playing with all of her grands and great-grands throughout the decades. And she was always available to babysit. "She met you at the door to take the baby out of your arms," said her daughter Sue.

Betty died at Sunrise Senior Living facility in Cascade, Michigan. She is survived by Jim, her children and their spouses (Myrna Anderson and Terry Broekema), and her grandchildren and their spouses (Cliff Stricklen, Ashlyn Newhof, Luke Wright, Eric Moulton, John (Jay) Horan and Tim Stevens).

The family is holding a memorial service for Betty at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 24, 2023 at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Ave., SE, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49508. Visitation is at 10 a.m. Donations in Betty's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.