Betty (Stellard) Balke

BALKE, BETTY JEAN (STELLARD) On July 26, 2013 at 12:42 AM, Betty passed away in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her husband, daughters, and best friend; after a courageous battle with renal cell carcinoma. Betty was 60 years old. Betty Jean Stellard was born Friday, May 29, 1953, in Grand Rapids, MI. Betty was the second child and first daughter of Robert Edward Stellard and Dorothy Jean (Voshol) Stellard. Betty grew up in Burton Heights in a neighborhood teeming with childhood friends. She, her siblings and friends were always outside playing and doing activities such as "painting the rocks" on their house with water. She graduated from Central High School in 1971, at which time she went to work at S. Abraham and Sons. Betty was working at JA White Distributing in August 1977 when she went to her Cousin Vicki's softball game. It was at that fateful event that she met her future husband, Merlin Balke. They married on April 8, 1978 at Seventh Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. They moved to Oregon, WI, after the wedding, where they were blessed by the birth of daughters, Erika Leigh on March 22, 1979 and Rachel Kristin on December 29, 1981. In 1986, after living in Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Iowa, Betty and her family moved back to Grand Rapids. They settled in Kentwood and Betty stayed home with the girls while they were small. Betty particularly enjoyed spending time with her sisters, quilting and assembling puzzles. Holidays were of importance to Betty, particularly Christmas. As the kids grew older, she introduced them to the joy of Dutch lettuce as created by her mother, Dorothy, which became the Christmas day meal. Betty began working part time for Daane's once her girls were in school. She eventually worked in the payroll department for Daane's, followed by working in payroll for Manpower. Her last place of employment was Anesthesia Practice Consultants. With her girls out of the nest and living in Kentucky, Betty and Merle began travelling to such a places as California, Norway, and for their 30th anniversary, on a Mediterranean cruise to Italy and Spain. After May 16, 2010, her favorite place to visit was Kentucky because of the birth of her beloved granddaughter, Sophie Elizabeth. She was a loving grandmother, who doted on Sophie, who will greatly miss her Grammy. Betty was fortunate to have many close friends, particularly her best friend, Bianca, and her two younger sisters, Ruth and Carol. From the monthly girl's night with her sister to trips to the casino with Bianca, Betty was always involved in some sort of shenanigans. Betty is survived by her husband, Merlin Balke; daughters, Erika Balke, Rachel (Scott) Heighton; granddaughter, Sophie Heighton; brother, Dennis (Elaine) Stellard: sisters, Ruth (Bob) Jones, Carol (Gary) Waldron; many nieces, nephew, best friend Bianca LaFountain; mother-in-law, Esther Balke; many cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. Betty was predeceased by her father, Robert Stellard; mother, Dorothy Stellard and father-in-law, Emil Balke. Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, July 29, 2013 in the Ofield Funeral Home. Family will meet with relatives and friends Sunday from 5-7 PM and one hour prior to the service on Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society or Humane Society of West Michigan. Online condolences may be left at www.ofieldfuneralhome.com.