Betty Byerly

Betty D. Byerly, of Holland MI, met Jesus face to face on June 23, 2025. Betty was born July 26, 1933, on a farm in Hardin County, Iowa to Roy and Fanny (Wilts) Luiken. Betty attended a one room school and then Steamboat Rock High School, graduating in 1952. Betty did many chores on the farm and learned early on the importance of getting tasks done and being dependable, a trademark she would carry throughout life. She loved sports and her highlight of high school was playing girls basketball in the state tournament. After high school Betty moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she lived in Esther Hall Girls Dormitory and worked for Equitable Life Insurance.

On June 1, 1956 Betty married Wayne and they had two daughters, Sherry and Karen. Wayne’s career with Pioneer Seed Company and later Asgrow Seed Company gave them the opportunity to live in Texas, Iowa and Michigan and each state she made a wonderful home for her family. During their years in Texas Betty and Wayne entertained Wayne’s colleagues from many foreign countries at their dining table. No matter where they lived Betty made lifelong friends.

While the girls were in school, Betty loved to do crafts, make candles, do decoupage and often found an elderly person who needed help or company. Family vacations were always road trips throughout the United States exploring our country and visiting family. Betty was in the passenger seat, her beloved atlas and maps in hand. From that point on, she had fun referring to her atlas simply to reference where others were traveling or living.

Following Wayne’s retirement, Betty and Wayne moved to Nixa, MO where she lived for 28 years and formed deep friendships, many who had Iowa roots. Wayne passed away in 2018 after suffering for 15 years with Transverse Myelitis. In 2021, Betty moved to Holland, MI where she would be able to live near family.

Betty was a listener, a supporter, a hard worker. She was unashamed of the Gospel and talked to the Lord all the time. Betty was an advocate. She relentlessly advocated equal access to education for her daughter through the years after she had developed rheumatoid arthritis. The school building had three-stories and no elevator. Though never one for public speaking, Betty repeatedly spoke at school board meetings, advocating for her daughter’s access while caring for her daily at home. Many years later, Betty again showed her character when Wayne contracted Transverse Myelitis, changing their world. For almost two decades, Betty was Wayne’s sole caregiver, unwavering and dependable. Though Betty shied away from the limelight and did not seek attention, she was the rock in the family.

When grandkids came into Betty’s life, she did not miss a beat, no matter the physical distance. She named herself Gran-Gran and made many trips to Washington and Michigan to spend time with her grandkids and their celebrations. She was always up for throwing a ball, playing “store” or building forts out of cardboard boxes.

Then, the next generation began, and Betty embraced being a great-grandmother with glee. She would quickly and proudly speak of her fourteen great grandkids whom she dubbed her “greats” to anyone she could. They were her joy and brought out her brightest smiles.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents Roy and Fanny Luiken, her husband Wayne, and her brother-in-law, Keith Huisman.

Betty is survived by her daughters Sherry (Alvin) Vos of Lynden, Washington and Karen (Andrew) Gorter of Holland, Michigan and her sister, Ruth Huisman, of Springdale, AR. She is also survived by her grandchildren David (Elaine) Vos of Lynden, Washington, Katherine (Nic) Padilla of Spencer, Iowa, Michael (Emily) Vos of Lynden, Washington, and Allison (Kyle) Geenen of Holland, Michigan. She is also survived by her 14 “greats” Jacquelyn, Graham, Emmett, Elizabeth, Gibson, Levi, Caleb, Greta, Adalynn, Wrenn, Griffin, Lilian, Lucas and Gideon.

Funeral arrangements have been facilitated by Greenlawn Funeral Home North of Ozark, Missouri. Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1 at The Springs Church, Springfield, Missouri with her celebration of life following at 11:00 a.m. A reception will immediately follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Betty’s memory to either The Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (SRNA) or to Samaritan's Purse.

Dykstra Funeral Home – Northwood Chapel in Holland, MI arranged for a private viewing prior to transportation to Ozark, MO.