Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Junewick, age 92, of Byron Center, passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Cascade Trails Senior Living.

Betty was born on June 4, 1931, in a tiny town called Williams, Iowa.  Coming from humble beginnings, Betty's family lived on the food her father hunted and the canned goods her mother stored in the bedroom closet.  As a small child, she survived both smallpox and the destitution of the Great Depression.  She graduated from Williams High School in 1949 and went on to attend college in Ames, Iowa.  After completing school, she found there were few job opportunities in her hometown, so Betty moved to Grand Rapids, MI, where she obtained employment at Lear Siegler.  Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, Gerald Junewick, and the two were married in 1957.  They had four daughters: Kim, Jill, Jan, and Joy.  Sadly, their eldest daughter, Kim, passed away just hours after her birth.  Throughout her life, Betty remained a devoted wife and mother.  Her claim to fame was her fabulous cooking and baking, and her girls teasingly called her Betty Crocker.  She was modest when complimented on her homemade meals and desserts, and always stated that her mother was the great cook, not her.   As an avid sports fan, Betty enjoyed watching golf, basketball, and football on television.  Since she was both Catholic and Irish, she always rooted for old Notre Dame!  Betty touched many lives in her 92 years on earth.  She was the sweetest mom, the favorite aunt, the amazing friend, and the kindest grandmother to all of her family and friends.  She was a very positive person who was quick to share her smile.  It's Betty's endearing smile that will remain in our hearts as a remembrance of her beauty both inside and out.

She will be missed dearly by her daughter, Jill Junewick; and her great grandchildren: Austin, Sienna, and Chase.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gerald Junewick; children: Kim Junewick, Jan Junewick, and Joy Ottenwess; granddaughter, Jade Ottenwess; siblings: Bernice (Earl) Jaynes, Maurice Butler, Bernard (Barbara) Butler, Robert (Gayle) Doyle, and Gerald (Shirley) Doyle; and brother-in-law, Norbert Junewick.

A visitation will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Kentwood.  A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 14, 2023, at St. John Vianney Catholic Parish, 4101 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509, with Father John Vallier presiding.  A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church.  Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.