Betty Catherine Pletzke

Betty Catherine (Kerr) Pletzke May 28, 1925 â€“ March 19, 2011 Betty Catherine Pletzke passed from this world into the loving arms of her Savior on Saturday, March 19, at Falls River Court in Raleigh, NC due to complications of Alzheimerâ€™s. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wallace C. Pletzke on May 4, 1996. Betty was born in Berkley, MI on May 28, 1925 to Wilbert and Freda Kerr. After earning her RN at Mercy College in Detroit, Betty worked at hospitals in the metro area until meeting and marrying a handsome Michigan State Trooper named Wally and subsequently giving birth to six children (2 boys, and 4 girls in that order). It wasnâ€™t long until State Trooper Pletzke moved his family to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to serve at the Marquette post. Although fearful of the localsâ€™ warnings about fierce winters in Upper Michigan, Betty and her family soon grew to love their new home in Marquette on West Avenue. Lifelong friendships were formed and Betty couldnâ€™t imagine herself living anywhere more beautiful. She often enjoyed spending time at Marquetteâ€™s Presque Isle park watching Lake Superior waves crash onto the shore. Betty continued her nursing career at Marquette General Hospital until her retirement in 1988. Betty was a fun-loving person, always ready for a game and a little friendly competition. She had a knack for looking at something and seeing its potential, and her creativity helped her transform garage-sale finds into treasures. Also, Betty was a very giving person who believed that her life was truly blessed by God and she wanted to pass along that blessing to everyone she met. Betty is survived by her six children Carl (Barb) Pletzke of Herndon, VA; Craig (Mary) Pletzke of Tempe, AZ; Catherine Pletzke of Raleigh, NC; Cindy (Steve) Lund of Asheville, NC; Connie (Steve) Dieleman of Grand Rapids, MI; Carol (Tim) Lindquist of Cedar Falls, IA; and Lyn Soesbee her "adopted" daughter and loving caregiver. She is survived also by her grandchildren Rachel Johnson, Greg Pletzke, Jaime Pletzke, C.J. Pletzke, Josh Pletzke, Matthew Lund, Ilsa Lund, Caleb Lund, Angela Dieleman, Daniel Dieleman, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and loving friends. A celebration of Betty's life will be held at Bethel Baptist Church in Marquette, MI this summer (date to be announced). Donations in Bettyâ€™s memory may be sent to Bethel Baptist Church, 829 Grove Street in Marquette, MI 49855; or to Alzheimer's NC, 1305 Navaho Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609. A special thank you to all the staff at Falls River Court and to Hospice of Wake County for your tender care provided to Betty.

Betty Catherine Pletzke

May 28, 1925 - March 19, 2011