Passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Age 94 years. Betty Lou was born on November 1, 1921, the daughter of the late Elroy and Marian (Steadman) Glendenning. She attended Western Michigan University, where she received her Master’s Degree. She retired from Portage Public Schools, where she taught first grade for many years. She was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist. She was an active volunteer with Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Portage Community Outreach Center, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo. She was instrumental in founding the Kalamazoo Literacy Council and was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She was married to Clarence Duane Christian in 1942; he preceded her in death in 1952. She later was married to John Savory Smoke in 1956; who preceded her in death in 2014. Betty Lou is survived by her daughter, Linda Lou (Ronald W.) Fredricksen; four grandchildren, Heather (Stephen) Schaefer of Wisconsin, Jon Roberts of Wisconsin, Christopher Christian of Oregon and Darron Christian of Wyoming, MI; four great-granddaughters; and two sisters, Rosemary Appelgren and Nancy Cone. She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Duane Christian; her infant daughter, Lucinda Lou Christian; and her sister, Barbara Froom. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of a traditional service, Betty Lou’s wish was that friends and family consider a memorial donation to Kalamazoo Literacy Council, First Church of Christ Scientist, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo or Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.
Passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Age 94 years. Betty Lou was born on November 1, 1921, the daughter of the late Elroy and Marian (Steadman) Glendenning. She attended Western Michigan University, where she received her Master’s Degree. She retired from Portage Public Schools, where she taught first grade for many years. She was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist. She was an active volunteer with Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Portage Community Outreach Center, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo. She was instrumental in founding the Kalamazoo Literacy Council and was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She was married to Clarence Duane Christian in 1942; he preceded her in death in 1952. She later was married to John Savory Smoke in 1956; who preceded her in death in 2014. Betty Lou is survived by her daughter, Linda Lou (Ronald W.) Fredricksen; four grandchildren, Heather (Stephen) Schaefer of Wisconsin, Jon Roberts of Wisconsin, Christopher Christian of Oregon and Darron Christian of Wyoming, MI; four great-granddaughters; and two sisters, Rosemary Appelgren and Nancy Cone. She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Duane Christian; her infant daughter, Lucinda Lou Christian; and her sister, Barbara Froom. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of a traditional service, Betty Lou’s wish was that friends and family consider a memorial donation to Kalamazoo Literacy Council, First Church of Christ Scientist, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo or Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.
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