Bette Joy DeRoeck

Bette attended The Business Institute of Milwaukee. Her first job was at the Marble Boat Company as the bookkeeper. Later, she was secretary for the Delta County Prosecuting Attorney. She worked in secretarial, clerical, bookkeeping jobs throughout her life, ending her career with Delcomp, the family owned computer business.

She married her high school sweetheart, Irving Leo DeRoeck, on September 4, 1948. They were together from their senior year of high school until their 74th wedding anniversary when he passed in 2022. Together they raised their family of three daughters and pursued many adventures including cruising on their 45 foot catamaran sailboat from the Bahamas to Canada and spending winters in the Southwest. They enjoyed having their daughters and their families join them.

Bette was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church. She served on many church committees. The World Hunger Run was one of her favorites. She believed it was important to be involved in the community and she did so by participating in the Child’s Welfare Club, Escanaba Yacht Club, Friends of the Gladstone Library, Bay Sages and serving as a Girl Scout leader.

Family was of utmost importance to Bette and her favorite memories were the family gatherings with four generations, especially holidays following traditions and playing games. She enjoyed her flower gardening which led to bird watching and her yard was always picture perfect. She was an avid bridge player and played into her 90’s. Study club was another activity that brought her joy. She was a published writer having had several articles printed about their travels in boating magazines.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, infant granddaughter Kelly DeRoeck, sister Billie Marmalick, brothers-in-law Tony Marmalick and Bud Clark. She is survived by her daughters Barbara (Alex) Chenier, Diane (Mike) Reimer, and Kim Brazeau, grandchildren Jennifer Anderson, Sean (Marcia) Reimer, Chris (Anne) Reimer, Katherine Reimer, Claire Brazeau, and Colin Brazeau, great grandchildren Logan Lehman, Jordan Reimer, Jacob Reimer, and Zachary Reimer. She is also survived by sisters Pat Clark and Jackie (Gary) Johnson and brother-in-law Russ (Elaine) DeRoeck and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Lakeview Assisted Living for their care and compassion.

Services will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church on Friday, March 27 at 4:00 PM with visitation to precede service from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. A meal will follow the service in the church hall. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the family.