Elizabeth “Bettie” Swan, age 73 of Merrill, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 at Aspirus Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born June 29, 1940 in Lapeer, MI, the daughter of Sylvester and Pearl (McConnell) Houck. She attended Lapeer High School. Bettie and John Swan were united in marriage in Harrison, May 28, 1960, a union that lasted 53 years.
She and her husband farmed for 35 years in the town of Corning. Bettie held many jobs over the years. She was a homemaker, she also worked at Fox Point, the Cranberry Marsh, The Clothes Line, and as a home health aide. She had her own exercise salon in the ’80s. Bettie had been a foster parent for over 30 children over the years, she also was a counselor at Lincoln Hills School.
Bettie was very creative and crafty, she enjoyed painting, ceramics and spending time in her patio garden. She liked camping and vacationing in Florida. Bettie was very family oriented, Bettie always made every event a family event. She was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. She had a deep faith, that was evident in her everyday life. Survivors include her husband: John; children: Gary (Lynda) Swan of Merrill, Rick (Wendy) Swan of Olin, Iowa, Don (Dawn) Swan, Marty (Sandy) Swan, Randy Swan, and Debbie (Mark) Weix, all of Merrill; grandchildren: Chris (Erin), Adam (Emily) Swan, Jill (Garret) Carlson, Ben, Jake, Josh, Stephanie, Shayla, Tyler, Kyle, Brett, Tim, Nick and Katrina Swan, Beth, Erin, Elyse and Molly Weix; 4 great grandchildren; and her brother: Gene Houck of Lapeer, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers and sisters: Marge Hudson, Chuck Houck, Al Houck, Mary Ludwig, Rita Smith, Ruth Barney and Bud Houck.
Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. The Rev. Fr. Mike McLain and The Rev. Ed Powell will co-officiate. Burial will take place at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 4-8 p.m. at Waid Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., and visitation again Friday 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home until the time of prayers.
The Waid Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.