Betty Jean Herman, September 12, 1949 ~ September 10, 2024, 74 Years Old.
Betty Herman passed over peacefully into Heaven Tuesday, September 10, 2024 after a long battle with PAF (Pure Autonomic Failure).
Betty Jean Herman (Johnson) was born in Rapid River, Michigan on September 12, 1949 on the kitchen table at 7:35am to the late Kenneth Warner Johnson and Iva Marie Johnson. A few years later the family moved to Fayette, Michigan which is where she grew up.
Betty had many fond memories of growing up in Fayette, Michigan. She frequently told stories about taking walks in the woods across the street as well as walking the beach of Lake Michigan right down the road from her house. She would talk about playing in the old buildings as a child at the “Ghost Town” which is located within Fayette State Park. Growing up poor and losing her mother at the very young age of 4, Betty spoke of having to work very hard for everything because they had nothing. Her father owned a small grocery store that she spoke about working in as a child, even by herself, at the age of 12 where she would slice hot dogs into “penny size pieces” for a snack even though she wasn’t supposed to be.
Shortly after Betty graduated High School she moved to Wisconsin where in September of 1970 she became certified with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters & Butcher Workmen which she was very proud of. She met Jerald Robert Herman on Christmas Day in 1976 while working a second job as a waitress and they married on October 8, 1977. 5 months later Betty gave birth to their only Child Ann. Betty was a very loving mother that wanted the best for her daughter as she had a difficult childhood herself.
She wanted her daughter to experience all the things she was not able to experience herself such as sports, ballet, piano lessons, horseback riding lessons, and to always be bubbly and happy. As a mother, Betty taught to always be honest and kind, always wear a smile on your face, always put smiles on other people’s faces even if you don’t know them, respect your parents, you can do anything you want, and there’s no such word as “can’t”. Betty and Jerald were married for 17 years.
In the early 2000’s she found her forever state of residence in sunny Florida. For years she enjoyed caretaking for several elderly folks. She was very passionate about caretaking and became easily attached to all the folks that she cared for.
Betty’s passions in life included her faith, always expressing her unique sense of humor, laughing, love, traveling, dancing, music, entertaining guests, art, golf, antiquing, being on the beach, friends, her daughter, and grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Kenneth Warner Johnson and Iva Marie Johnson as well as a grandson Jacob Michael VanLinn. Betty is survived by her only daughter Ann Ward (Dean), grandsons Gabriel Gehring and Zachary VanLinn, brothers Wayne Johnson (Bonnie), Garry Johnson (Kathy), and Robert Johnson (Shirley), as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Kapoor family as well as the Burnette family from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and assistance they provided her through the years.
Betty’s request was to not have a funeral. Her wish was to have a celebration of life including music, food, drinks, and conversation about happy times which will be held at a later date. Betty’s quote for this wish was “Love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12.