Betty Jane Kahila

WAKEFIELD, Mich. — Betty Jane Kahila, 94, a longtime resident of Wakefield, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital in Ironwood.

Betty was born on Sept. 8, 1929, in Ramsay, a daughter of William and Loretta Mae (Armstrong) Kloppenburg. She attended Wakefield Schools.

On July 14, 1945, Betty was united in marriage to Elmer William Kahila in Ironwood. He preceded her in death on March 19, 2005.

She was a very active member of the All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield and a supporting member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the American Legion Geroux Post 11 in Wakefield.

Betty worked as a nurse in private duty, was employed at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility for 10 years and concluded her working career after six years in the housekeeping department at the Indianhead Mountain Resort.

She will always be remembered as one who was always there to give a helping hand, not expecting anything in return.

Betty is survived by two daughters, Charlotte (John) Spink, Horton, Michigan, and Karen (John) Roberts, Escanaba; six grandchildren, Todd Finco, Nicole (Dean) Duncan, Mindy (Eric) Bialczyk, Scott (Jen) Spink, Amber (Steve) Godfrey and Jennifer Wiita; 15 great-grandchildren, Mahkail Finco, Hailee Finco, Dacoda Duncan, Brock Duncan, Kendall Spink, Lia Spink, Beau Bialczyk, Grace Bialczyk, Jonah Bialczyk, Jada Godfrey, Sadie Godfrey, Samuel Godfrey, Cheyenne Spires, Stetson Spires and Jazzmyn Green; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, James Ceronsky and Robert Kloppenburg; and four sisters and a brother-in-law, Violet Dyson, Laverne Reynolds, Leona Halfhill, and Patty and Earl Plumley.

A funeral service will be held Thursday, Feb. 15, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the All Saints Lutheran Church in Wakefield, with the Rev. Lauri Maki officiating.

A lunch will be served at the church fellowship hall immediately following the funeral.

Interment will take place at the Lakeside Cemetery in Wakefield, in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be sent to All Saints Lutheran Church, 1202 Putnam St., Wakefield, MI 49968.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family. To send online condolences or to share a memory please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.