Betty J. Seyfred, 85, of Hart, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital after a brief illness.

Betty was born on May 2, 1928 in Buchanan, MI to George and Mary Ann (Keller) Marsh. Betty married Allan Seyfred in 1951, and their marriage was blessed with four children. As a young woman, Betty began her career as a bookkeeper with several companies in Berrien County. She took time off to raise her family, and then resumed her bookkeeping career in 1968 upon moving to Hart. While residing in Hart, she worked at NAPA and the Hart Public Library.

Betty was a long-time active member of the Hart United Methodist Church, serving as Financial Secretary for a number of years. She also served for many years as a member of the Oceana County Mental Health Board. Passions of hers included flowers, reading, traveling, bird-watching (especially cardinals), crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family. She was an avid Detroit Tigers and MSU fan. She loved movies and eating out (especially when there was a chocolate dessert and hot coffee involved), and decorating for all the holidays.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Allan in 2010, and their daughter, Cynthia A. Genson in 2006. She is survived by her children, Sandra (Mark) Densham of Grandville, MI; Mark (Linda) Seyfred of Franklin, TN; Jill Seyfred of Lexington, KY; son-in-law, Dennis Genson (Karen) of Ludington, MI; brother, Pete Marsh of Grand Blanc, MI; six grandchildren, Sam (Kirsten) Genson, Sarah Genson, Brent (Angelina) Densham, Lianne (Greg) Sagorski, Jonathan (Sarah) Seyfred, Anna (Andrew) King; and four great-grandchildren, Grace and Sawyer Genson and Grayson and Isabella Seyfred, with three additional great-granddaughters due in 2014. Although Betty was not a big dog fan, she appreciated the devotion of her granddaughter Lianne to her Labrador grand dogs, Stout and Cayenne.

The family thanks the 2-East nursing staff of Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital for their loving care. The family also thanks special friends and neighbors who made it possible for Betty to stay in her home, Jim and Alice Cunningham, Gayle and Lois Forner, Tom and Linda Foster, Gale Goldberg, and Ellen Lambrix.

A Celebration of Life, officiated by Rev. Dennis Bromley, will be held at the Hart United Methodist Church on Friday, March 21 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Hart Cemetery in a private ceremony in the spring. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Hart Area Public Library, 415 South State Street, Hart, MI 49420.

To send a flowers or a sympathy card, please use the Expressions of Sympathy Link to the left.