Sept. 23, 1924 — Jan. 9, 2019

Betty Mae Biek, 94, of Cassopolis, died peacefully early Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, surrounded by loving family members.

She was born Sept. 23, 1924, in Wakelee, Michigan to Frank and Daisy James. After graduation from Dowagiac High School, Betty enrolled in Saint Camillus School of Nursing School at Nazareth College/Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. During that time, her high school sweetheart, Jack J. Biek, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country for three years in the Pacific Theater on the Battleship Iowa.

On Sept. 1, 1945, Betty and Jack eloped, because at that time nursing students could not be married. Betty and Jack raised their family of nine children in Dowagiac, with a brief stay in Culver, Indiana. In addition to raising their family, Betty served generations of local families as a Registered Nurse. She was most recently a member of Saint Ann Catholic Church in Cassopolis, but had previously been a member of Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac for at least 60 years.

Betty will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her children, Becky (Peter) McIntyre, Mary Biek, Jacky (Chris) Kelly, Anna Biek, Andrew Biek, Katie (Rick) Moore and Jon (Julie) Biek; daughters in law, Karen Wells and Loa Biek; 20 grandchildren, Peter B. (Heather) McIntyre, Colin (Moya) McIntyre, Jana (Anthony) DiDonato, Rob McIntyre, Melissa Biek, C.J. (Leslie) Biek, Marie Biek, Devin Biek, Christina (John) Richey, Lisa Cutting, Jason (Allison) Biek, Will (Stephanie) Biek, J. Paul (Becca) Biek, Seth (Leah) Biek, Skyler (Alicia) Biek, Adam (partner, Ruri Stump) Biek, Frankie (Geoff) Kelly Maxfield, Eric (Cindy) Moore, Kyle (Amy) Moore and Jessica Biek; 34 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Athans; one sister-in-law, Joan Biek Krystoff; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of more than seventy-one years, Jack; two sons, Charles B. Biek and Joseph Daniel Biek; two sisters, Iva King and Doris Harvey; and one brother, Lewis James.

Family and friends will gather from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, in Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, with a Scripture Service at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019, in Saint Ann Catholic Church, 421 North Broadway St., Cassopolis, with additional visitation from 9:30 a.m. Saturday in the church.

The family suggests that contributions be made in Betty’s memory to Saint Ann Catholic Church, 421 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis, Michigan 49031, or, Hospital Hospitality House, 1800 Henson Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49048.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

Betty was an extraordinary woman, one of the last of her generation, who will be missed by all who knew her.