Elizabeth 'Bette' Bultema
Fri, Jul 3, 2009 
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Mrs. Elizabeth "Bette" Jane Bultema, age 85, of Muskegon passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, surrounded by many loved ones.
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Bette was the youngest child of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Katt) Rosema of Spring Lake, and was born in Grand Haven on January 27, 1924. She had three brothers: Harold (Alice), Mike (Net) and Robert (Eleanor). All are deceased, along with their parents.
Bette graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1942 and married John Henry Bultema on March 1, 1944. While he served in the Navy during World War II, she worked as a secretary. Moving to Manistee shortly after the war, Bette and John relocated back to Muskegon in 1965. While Bette was involved in many volunteer activities over the course of her life, as her husband's business interests grew and his travel increased, much of the responsibility for raising their growing family fell to Bette. She marshaled a family of nine children; and her organizational skills, especially in the kitchen, are legendary.
Berean Church, where she was a member for most of her adult life, was an extension of her family. Other activities with her husband and children included golfing, skiing and boating. Bette also traveled extensively, and often unconventionally, to indulge her husband's love of adventure. One of their most memorable trips was sailing from Grand Haven to the Bahamas for six months with some of their children. Still, she was always happiest at home, with her family, baking cookies for people. Bette was awarded the Mother of the Year Award for Muskegon County in 1994.
Bette's kindness, quick smile and contagious laughter will be greatly missed. Above all else, Bette's most important life focus and her crowning glory was her family: her loving and devoted husband, and her children and their families.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful caregivers who so lovingly cared for her over the past several months; they have become family.
Bette will be remembered for her countless acts of kindness toward others, her servant's heart, and her great love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 31:28-30: "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her; many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty fades, but the woman who fears and reverences the Lord shall be greatly praised."
Survivors: She is survived by her husband of 65 years, John H. Bultema Sr.; eight of her nine children: Mary Beth (Bill) Kennedy of Manistee, Barbara (Daye) Pennell of Wellston, Ayne Gillern of Asheville, N.C., Carol (Syd) Millman of Waukesha, Wis., Tom (Chris) Bultema of Muskegon, Elizabeth (Tim) Horgan of Spokane, Wash., Pastor James (Renata) Bultema of Antalya, Turkey, and Paul (Julie) Bultema of London, England; 59 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sister and dearest friend, Anne Walker of Spring Lake.
Bette has now been joyfully reunited with her eldest son, John (Debi) Bultema II, who passed away unexpectedly on August 19, 2008.
Service: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 2 p.m. at the Berean Church with the Rev. James Bultema, Pastor Craig Apel and Pastor Dwight Reed officiating. The family will welcome friends and relatives in celebration of Bette's life following the service at the church.
Visitation: Monday, July 6, 2009, 2-4 and 5-7 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home-Muskegon.
Memorials: Donations to honor the memory of Bette may be made to Berean Church or Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.
Clock Life Story-Muskegon is handling arrangements.
