On May 28th Betty Ruth Van Wyk (Otten) passed away at home on her 92nd birthday. She was a longtime member of Central Wesleyan Church.
Betty Otten and Roger Van Wyk met each other while attending rival high schools. This clandestine romance was not the favorite of Betty’s father, John, as Roger attended Holland High School and Betty attended Holland Christian High School. They also worshipped at different churches, at that time this seemed to be quite rebellious. Needless to say, their love and passion for one another served for 72 years as the greatest example for their 5 children, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Betty’s greatest accomplishment was raising her 5 children in an immaculate home while always serving the Lord. She had 5 children under the age of 10 years old by the time she was 30. Without God’s guidance she would not have survived. Needless to say, her life was devoted to her family. Her passion and love were running her household with the Lord’s guidance & she told many people that she lived her life and based her marriage on Proverbs 3:5 & 6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your path.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Chris Otten, Jack Otten, Donald Otten, Rueben Otten, Roland Otten, and Herb Otten, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jim & Ruth Van Wyk.
Anchor In-Home Care as well as Hospice of Corewell Health provided exceptional care to Betty in her final days.
She is survived by her husband Roger and children, Susan Koenes, Tom Van Wyk, Mike & Robin (Stephenson) Van Wyk, Kathy Van Wyk & Robyn Green and Carol & Larry Whitman. Grandchildren, Christine (Van Wyk) & Jamie Guevara, Daniel & Alisha (Ziel) Van Wyk, Lindsey (Van Wyk) Rodriquez, Mark & Katie (Biehl) Koenes, Stephen & Meghan (Gall) Van Wyk, Zachary & Kaitlin (Cress) Van Wyk, Rachel (Whitman) & Joey Garrity and Katie Whitman as well as 6 great grandchildren with a 7th on the way.
Visitation will be 4-7 pm Friday, May 31, 2024, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 East 16th Street, Holland. The funeral service will be 11 am Saturday, June 1, 2024, also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Holland Christian Schools.
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