Elizabeth Arendshorst

Elizabeth (Betty) Letsinger Arendshorst, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2022, at 99 years of age, leaving a life characterized by her generosity of spirit. She follows her lifelong sweetheart and husband of 69 years, William Arendshorst, M.D, Ph.D, who preceded her in death in 2013. Surviving are Betty’s children Bill and Donna Arendshorst of Burlington, N.C; and Tom and Sharon Arendshorst, John and Nicki Arendshorst, and Jane and Rick Schutt, all of Holland. Betty’s grandchildren are: Katie (and Matt) Eaton, Eric (and Tasha) Arendshorst, Chris (and Missy) Arendshorst, Michael Arendshorst, John (and Liz) Arendshorst, Anna Arendshorst, and Rob (and Alyssa), Will (and Sarah), and Jim Schutt; her great-grandchildren are Alexis, Jaiden, Emma, Hunter, Simon, Luke, Philip, Samuel, Hadley, Willa, Roderick, Jaquelyn, and Kenji.

Elizabeth was born December 20, 1922, to Reed and Etna Letsinger in Bloomfield, Indiana, into a family of remarkable achievers. She was the youngest of five, trailing John, Catherine, and twins Robert and Richard. She was educated at Bloomfield and Bloomington High Schools, Oberlin College and the University of Indiana. She met William Arendshorst in 1942, when she was a college senior and he was doing research at the University of Indiana. She married Bill in Bloomington on June 26, 1943. They began their family in Ann Arbor and then moved to Holland in 1952. Betty created home for them all; parented her four children; and invested her talents in PEO, Century Club, Junior Welfare League, the Women’s Literary Club, and the Rena Boven Guild. She had friends of many decades and newer communities of friends at Hope Church and Freedom Village. She loved planning trips and foreign travel, and shared her love of exploration with Bill and with many close friends.

Betty was a woman defined by the treasures of her character. She was unremittingly friendly, accepting, non-judgmental, respectful, positive, and grateful for her lifelong bounty of what she knew were “un-earned” gifts from God, family, and friends. Her attitude of faithful hope caused her to look for the best in everyone she encountered, to forgive others’ weaknesses (more than she forgave her own), and to care especially for wounded and needy people. Betty was inherently social, and was happiest when engaged in activities with friends and family. She enjoyed dancing, a good book, a game of bridge, and a glass of wine in the evening. Humble by nature, she always assumed you were smarter, more accomplished, more powerful, and even more deserving than she — but all who knew her knew Betty for her intelligence, literacy, interest in others, and concern for the common good. In her later years she grew increasing concerns for global and environmental justice.

Betty was an involved member of Hope Church, and earlier of Third Reformed Church. Throughout the course of her terminal illness, her faith in God’s abiding love led her to confidently embrace her approaching death and future with gratitude for all her past life. In her departure, she has left all her family the great gift of her grace-filled spirit. She will be unforgettable.

Funeral arrangements include visitation at Hope Church, 77 West 11th Street in Holland, at noon on Saturday, April 30, followed by her memorial service at 1:00 pm and a reception immediately thereafter. Rev. Jill Russell will be officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Elizabeth’s name can be made to Hope Church, Community Action House, or the Freedom Village Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Homes-Downtown Chapel.