Edna Batts

Batts, Edna "Jean" Kalamazoo, MI Edna Jean Batts "Jean" went home to be with her Lord on December 10, 2021 at North Woods Village of Kalamazoo. She was born at home on Centre Avenue in Portage Township, MI on January 14, 1933, the fifth child and youngest daughter of the late Edward and Elsie (Kuiper) Bogema. Jean was raised on the family farm with her siblings. Her father worked in construction and as a mason, while her mother was a homemaker. Both of Jean's parents immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands as children, and throughout her life Jean's Dutch heritage was important to her. Farming was a way of life for the Bogema family. As a young girl Jean loved animals and had many pet kittens as well as a pet chicken. When she was older, she would help plant in the greenhouse and tend the roadside stand where fresh produce and cut flowers were offered for sale. She attended local schools and graduated from Portage High School in 1951. After graduating from high school, she worked at The Upjohn Company (now Pfizer) which was across the street from the family farm. She worked there until shortly before her first child was born and became a full-time homemaker at that time, raising her two girls. On October 29, 1954, Jean married Leonard R. Batts. Two daughters came along in the next few years. Jean loved being outdoors. She would feed and watch the birds during the winter and could name almost everyone that showed up at the feeders. During the spring and summer, she would plan and plant all the flower beds around the house. She grew beautiful flowers every year. She also enjoyed spending time with family, especially the grandchildren as they came along. She would do all kinds of fun craft projects with them. The great grandchildren where very special to her as well. Jean also loved traveling. She traveled with her husband to many different conventions around the country during his working years. After he retired, they continued to travel, visiting almost every state and several foreign countries including a couple different trips to the Netherlands. Through the years Jean was active in many of the churches where she was a member. She was the Sunday School treasurer, volunteered at VBS, as well as attended many different Ladies and Group Bible Studies. She was most recently a member of Grace Christian Reformed Church. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Len, on December 3, 2020. Jean was also preceded in death by four siblings, James Bogema, Marian Bailey, William Bogema, and Edward Bogema. Surviving are two daughters, Diana (Donald) Stewart and Linda Batts; three grandchildren Kevin (Joana) Stewart, Brian (Jenny) Stewart and Allison Stewart (Eric Elliott); six great-grandchildren Ashley, Brittney, Emery and Brady Stewart, Vienna & RJ Elliott; sister, Helen Stewart; sisters-in-law, Virginia Bogema and Sandra Bogema; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the very special nurses and staff that cared for her for the last few years at North Woods Village in Kalamazoo. The personalized care she received from this very caring group truly made her time there very enjoyable. Private graveside services will be held in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please consider giving a gift in Jean's memory to North Woods Village of Kalamazoo – Patient Activity Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S. Burdick St, Kalamazoo MI 49007. To view Jean's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com