Betty Jane Hodder passed away April 29, 2021 at the age of 94.

Beloved wife of the late Melvin. Loving mother of Edward (Laura), Henry (Lois), Cheryl (Daniel) Ballnik, and Jeffrey (Pam). Proud grandmother of Julie, James, Henry, Jr., Evan, Kristianna, Kristy, and Joshua. Great-grandmother of Trevor, Nicole, Alexander, Raeann, Matthew, Grace, Dean, and Levi. Great-great-grandmother of Leo.

Betty Jane Hodder lived a life that touched many people.  Her generous, thoughtful, caring, considerate, patient and strong nature might have helped with that.  Her courage and especially her kindness has been mentioned by many.  She was the light of her family and her warmth was felt by all.

Betty was born August 13th, 1926 on the 13th floor of Henry Ford Hospital.  She was a miracle baby, the only child Anna and Edward Rutenbar.  They lived in a Detroit duplex until moving to Belleville.  There on Belleville lake she had a horse that was replaced by a bike, worked in a drug store making sodas until graduating from Belleville highschool.  She then moved back to Detroit and worked at the gas company.  During a Hiking Club (which she said did little hiking) party she met her husband of close to 70 years, Mel.  They married in 1949 and moved to Dearborn where she raised her four children with a rotating cast of animals.

Those years with Mel, who passed on August 8, 2019, were busy with many, many family gatherings. Camping trips took their family across the country, and later in life Betty and Mel would travel together in their motorhome. Betty went back to  work and spent about 10 years at Fisher's Flowers, next Kmart and finally Greenfield Village.  In her retirement years, she was able to memorize this big notebook of information/scripts as she spoke and continually smiled to thousands that passed through Henry Ford's Greenfield village. She had a big heart and her thoughtfulness and gift or card giving are remembered by many.

Betty was able to carry on without Mel and stay in her house in Dearborn where she had spent 70 years because she's of sturdy stock. She didn't complain and would often tell us "it does not help to worry". Her mind and body were strong with a deep faith in god and she stayed an active member of Hope Lutheran Church throughout her life. She read a lot, did crossword puzzles, played solitaire, watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. The stories of her youth and long ago were as clear as her memories of the present. She said that God has a plan and that she was patient.

After battling a blood disease, surviving Covid, and many other hospital visits over the last year, Betty elected to go on hospice at home where she was cared for by her daughter-in-law Laura and granddaughter Kristianna. Laura and Kristianna's teamwork, love and dedication make them truly like angels.  She passed away peacefully at home April 29, 2021.  Her family loves her very much, and she will be sorely missed.

Visitation at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home – Dearborn Chapel (22546 Michigan Ave.) on Sunday 2-8pm. Private service will be held Monday.

Interment at Glen Eden Lutheran Cemetery.

To watch the recording of Mrs. Hodder's Funeral Service please click the link below:
The Funeral Service of Mrs. Betty Hodder - YouTube