Elizabeth “Betty” May Denessen

NAHMA — Elizabeth “Betty” May (Kruse) Denessen, 92, of Nahma passed away Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba, MI. She was born May 1, 1933, in St. Paul, MN and was the daughter of Franklin and Haleyon (Clark) Kruse.

Betty graduated from Marshall Minnesota High School in June 1951, she attended Gustavus Adolphus College and Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in St. Paul. She married Nickolas Denessen on January 24, 1953, at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska where the temperature was 64 degrees below zero! Nick preceded her in death on December 4, 2016. She lived there for nearly 2 years in Fairbanks where their first son was born. She later moved to Escanaba, MI where she was employed at the State Bank of Escanaba for 25 years. Betty attended Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba where she taught Sunday school for many years and raised 2 more sons and 3 daughters. Betty volunteered weekly for 30 years at OSF St. Francis Hospital. After their children were raised they moved to the Denessen family home in Nahma, MI. She worked for 17 years as the Nahma Township Treasurer. Betty was a very outgoing person, had many friends, enjoyed playing cards and was an avid golfer. She spent many weeks camping in every state in the union except Hawaii.

In April of 2023 she moved to Bishop Noa apartments after some failing health problems. Betty would like to thank her family for their concern, especially for her granddaughter Nicole who made it all possible. But most of all without her Lord she would not have all her memories and blessings.

Betty is survived by her sons; Nick (Dianna) Denessen of Missoula, MT, Rick Denessen of Sturgeon Bay, WI, and Terry Denessen of Charlevoix, MI; daughters, Vicki Denessen of Oconto, WI, and Mickey Garey of Washinton D.C., Sherri Parris of Oconto, WI; six grandchildren & five great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 pm Friday, at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Markwell officiating. A meal will be served following the service in the Ludington Room located in Anderson Funeral Home. Burial will take place in the Moss Lake Cemetery. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Denessen family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net