Elizabeth J. "Betty" Cull

A true country girl, Betty Cull may have lived in the city in her last years, but the farm from which she was raised was forever in her heart. Raised in the small northeastern Nebraska town of Bloomfield, Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Maule was a welcome addition in the lives of her parents, Anton and Ellen (Buck) Maule on February 12, 1925. A time of rapid growth in the U.S., baseball was America’s favorite pastime, and Chaplin movies were all the rage.

Betty’s father ran a crop farm in Bloomfield and he was a bootlegger during the days of prohibition. The fourth of eventually six children, she grew up alongside her siblings, V.K., Donald, Joseph, Bonnie, and Antoinette. Betty enjoyed a childhood typical of her generation despite the onset of the Great Depression. Along with her daily farm chores, Betty attended the local elementary school and went on to graduate from Bloomfield High School in 1943.

Having met the man of her dreams during World War II, Betty fell head over heels in love with Cameron Cull who was from Wausau, Nebraska. The two began dating and were happily married while Cameron was home on leave, and at the war’s joyous end, he returned home to Betty’s awaiting arms. As a couple they settled in the riverfront city of Grand Rapids, Michigan where Cameron found work as a bricklayer. Beginning their new lives together, the couple soon began a family of their own with the births of two wonderful sons, Cameron Jr. and Wynn, whom Betty was ever dedicated and loyal.

Betty and her family made their home on 24th Avenue in Marne, Michigan. To Betty it was a little bit of country heaven, and there she lovingly made a good home for Cameron and their boys. They enjoyed family trips to Nebraska each year to visit her family, and treasured memories were shared by all through many years of holidays and family celebrations. Betty was talented in many ways and she loved to knit, crochet, and sew.

Throughout the years Betty was an avid golfer and bowler and she participated on many leagues. She was a member of the Silver Years Bowlers Club, and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Marne. Betty especially loved playing bingo and often enjoyed visiting the casinos throughout Michigan. Over the years she was also a very active member of the Neil Fonger Post #179 Ladies Auxiliary where Betty took in memorable times with Cameron and their many friends.

Nothing brought Betty greater joy than spending time with her grandchildren, and later, great-grandchildren. When her beloved Cameron passed away from lung cancer on July 5, 1995, it was her family with whom Betty relied. In 2003, Betty moved from the family home to Marsh Ridge Senior Living where she continued to live independently and where she enjoyed many new friendships and activities. After recently sufferng from health issues, Betty underwent surgery last Friday, but sadly, nothing more could be done.

Betty was a strong, independent and determined farm girl through and through. Always dedicated in everything she put her mind to, she was an incredible, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend who will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Cull, aged 90, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2016 at Spectrum Health–Butterworth Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cameron Cull Sr. in 1995 and by her five siblings: V.K, Donald, Joseph, Bonnie, and Antoinette. She is survived by her two sons, Cameron Cull Jr. and Wynn (Laurie) Cull; her seven grandchildren: Michael Cull, Heather (John) Kooistra, Jacob Cull, Stacey (Peter) Bergsma, Kayleigh Cull, Rose Cull, Lindsey (Tony) Batenburg; great-grandchildren, Relling, Brynn, Benjamin, Charlotte, Aiden, Sophia, Liam, Madelyn, Harrison, Larkin, and Teagan; her sister-in-law, Eva Maule; many nieces, nephews and friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 23, 2016, 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 15164 Juniper Dr. Marne, MI. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the church on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the Mass begins at 11:00 AM. Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of your choice. To sign Betty’s guest book and to leave your own memory of her, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.