Betty Jane Brenneke

Benton Harbor, MI – Betty Jane Brenneke, 87, of Benton Harbor, MI, passed away at her home on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Lakeland Hospice. Betty was born on March 28, 1922 in Burlington, Iowa to George and Grace (Hartman) Klein. She married Robert Brenneke on Valentine's Day in 1945 in Burlington, IA. Our mother was the best mother in the world to us. She worked hard all her life, she was always there no matter what – she truly was a “giver.” Betty is survived by her two daughters, Char (Steve) Wilder of Benton Harbor and Karen (Dennis) Zotsman of Morrisville, N.C. and two sons, Rob (Catherine) Brenneke of Tampa, FL and William (Jackie) Brenneke of St. Joseph, MI. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Anderson of Illinois, her sisters, Edith Murphy of Missouri and Vera McCown of Nevada, 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her parents, George and Grace, and a granddaughter, Marcia. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the memory book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.