Betty Jean Ahlberg

Betty Jean Ahlberg, age 87, of Shelbyville, MI, passed away in her sleep May 30, 2022, at her home in Michigan. Betty was born November 22, 1934, to Basil and Leora (Robar) Kershaw.

On September 8, 1951, Betty was married to Don Ahlberg, and they fell just three months shy of being married for sixty years at the time Don passed. Betty and Don have four children, Don (Linda) Ahlberg of Altamonte Springs, FL, Pat (Bill) Shannon of Plainwell, MI, Joanne Ahlberg-Luce of Martin, MI, and Dave (Karen) Ahlberg of Debary, FL.

Early on in their marriage, Betty and Don ran the Friendly Store [now known as Third Base] for Wally Winstrum. In 1957, they moved to Las Vegas, NV, where Don had been offered a job as Head Cashier at the Monte Carlo. Las Vegas wasn't the life they chose for long and they returned to Plainwell.

During her lifetime, Betty was a Nursing Assistant at the Plainwell Sanitarium; a Clerk at the Allegan County Courthouse; and then a bail bondswoman. She and Don then bought what was then known as Hiltz Store on East Bridge Street, Plainwell, renaming it Eastside Grocery. Her last job was as a Real Estate Agent.

Betty and Don traveled extensively, mostly in the U.S., enjoying train trips, cruises, seeing amazing wonders like the Grand Canyon, and Mt. Rushmore.

Betty was stylish and loved getting out and looking her best. She loved to play bridge, cribbage, cards of any kind, and loved to read. She was a good cook. She enjoyed her friends and socializing. She drew her family home to celebrate the special days of life, or any day was a good reason to her. She was a good person — Friend, wife, mother [a surrogate mother to many], grandmother, and sister. To her last days, she could hold her own — Strong, smart, stubborn, loving, compassionate, with common sense leading her decisions.

Betty is survived by a sister and a brother, Beverly Hughes of Florida; and Basil (Donna) Kershaw of Florida. Grandchildren, Billy, Angela, Aaron; Nicholas, Nathan, Marc, Jerry, Lara; John, Leah, and Rachael. Great Grandchildren, Jamie, Kyle, Sarah; Dalton, Landen; Breanna, Kenleigh, Quinn, Amara, Jonathan, Dominic; Isaiah, Madden, Charlie, Walker, Bella, and Navy; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will take place on August 13, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. at the Gun River Conservation Club, 689 11th Street, Plainwell, MI 49080

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Betty’s guestbook and/or share a memory with her family.

The Ahlberg family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 120 South Woodhams Street, Plainwell, MI 49080. 269-685-5881