Obituary of Betty Marie Steffen (Johnson)
Age 96, of Clio, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at Cranberry Park of Clio. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 am Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Saints Charles and Helena Catholic Church – 230 E. Vienna St., in Clio. Rev. Fr. Kenneth Coughlin officiating. The family will receive visitors at the church from 9:15 am until time of service at 11:00 am. In accordance with Betty’s wishes cremation has taken place and a private service will be held at Flint Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Saints Charles and Helena Catholic Church.
Betty was born on April 24, 1923, in Detroit, and grew up in Grand Rapids, before moving to Flint, where she lived most of her life. Betty graduated from Union High School in 1942 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She served in World War II, as a true Rosie the Riveter. She worked as a supervisor in the parachute factory and supervised the correct installation of rivets on warplanes. Betty later became employed as a salesperson for Irvin Hirsch Jewelers and worked in the business office for Shaffer Candy & Tobacco Company. She managed the University Club – Flint in the former Genesee Towers building and was the lounge manager for United Coney Island. Betty had her own cleaning business, which she retired from in 2005 to start her volunteer work at the Krapohl Senior Center in Mt. Morris Township. She was 88 years young and the eldest dancer for the Krapohl Senior Center traveling Polynesian dance show, known as the Wahinis of the Krapohl Ohana. She was an avid bowler most of her life and was a former bowling instructor at West Lanes in Flint. She was a member of the Eagles Chapter 629. Betty loved to sing, work, socialize and didn’t know the meaning of sitting still. She left a lasting memory on all who had the good fortune to know her. Betty nurtured and cared deeply for those who needed anything from a warm blanket to a warm hug. Betty’s life was lived long, lived well and with love, compassion, laughter, and loyalty to those she loved.
Left to cherish her memory are son, Richard and wife Christina Johnson of Flint; daughter, Cynthia Cromwell of Davison; daughter, Sandra Schneider of Melbourne, Florida; five grandchildren: Eric and wife Sandy Prast of Burton, Ken and wife Becky Cromwell of Sanford, David and wife Kerlande Schneider, Thomas Schneider, Shawn Schneider all of Florida; nine great-grandchildren: Gabriel Prast of Burton, Kenny Cromwell, Savannah Isaacson, Kylie Isaacson all of Sanford, Raquel Schneider, Gabriella Schneider, Zachary Schneider, Chase and wife Jessica Schneider, Bryce Schneider all of Florida.
Betty was preceded in death by her son-in-law Ken Cromwell and son-in-law Duane Schneider.
