Betty L. Burgess

She was born March 6, 1933, at her grandparents farm outside of Sagola. She was the seventh child out of nine of the late Arnold and Alva Simondsen.

Betty was baptized at Grace Presbyterian Church in Sagola. She grew up on a farm outside Sagola where she attended grade school and was a graduate of Channing High School, class of 1951. Betty married Ray Burgess on Oct. 27, 1951.

Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingsford and a volunteer of St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. She was very active as a volunteer in her children’s activities, sewing costumes, attending plays, concerts, sporting events and later helping with her many grandchildren.

She and Ray were members of the Pine Mountain Golf Club, and she enjoyed golfing in her women’s league.

Betty loved music and could often be heard to say “shut up and sing” when traveling long distances with her children, which explains the family’s many musical talents. She would hum along whenever she heard singing up until her passing.

Survivors include her five sons, James (Laure), Karl (Carol), Denis (Linda Kocourek), Dale (Julie), and Paul (Jaycee); one daughter, Vickie (Rick) Mytinger; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 70 years, Ray Burgess, three brothers, Walter, Leroy and Elroy: and five sisters, Emma, Norma, Audrey, Janice and Kay.

Visitation will be June 29, at 10 at Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. followed by a light lunch. Internment in the Sagola Cemetery for those wishing to attend. Reverend Ryan Flunker of Grace Church of Sagola will be officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Betty’s name or to the Alzheimer’s Association https://act.alz.org>donate.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Betty’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.