Betty D. Byerly, of Holland Michigan, met Jesus face to face on June 23, 2025.  Betty was born July 26, 1933, on a farm in Hardin County, Iowa, to Roy and Fanny (Wilts) Luiken.  Betty attended a one room school and then Steamboat Rock High School, graduating in 1952.  Betty did many chores on the farm and learned early on the importance of getting tasks done and being dependable, a trademark she would carry throughout life. She loved sports and her highlight of high school was playing girls basketball in the state tournament. After high school, Betty moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she lived in Esther Hall Girls Dormitory and worked for Equitable Life Insurance.

On June 1, 1956, Betty married Wayne and they had two daughters, Sherry and Karen. Wayne’s career with Pioneer Seed Company and later Asgrow Seed Company gave them the opportunity to live in Texas, Iowa, and Michigan and each state she made a wonderful home for her family. During their years in Texas, Betty and Wayne entertained Wayne’s colleagues from many foreign countries at their dining table. No matter where they lived Betty made lifelong friends.

While the girls were in school, Betty loved to do crafts, make candles, do decoupage, and often found an elderly person who needed help or company. Family vacations were always  road trips throughout the United States exploring our country and visiting family.  Betty was in the passenger seat, her beloved atlas and maps in hand. From that point on, she had fun referring to her atlas simply to reference where others were traveling or living. 

Following Wayne’s retirement, Betty and Wayne moved to Nixa, Missouri, where she lived for 28 years and formed deep friendships, many who had Iowa roots.  Wayne passed away in 2018 after suffering for 15 years with Transverse Myelitis.  In 2021, Betty moved to Holland, Michigan, where she would be able to live near family.

Betty was a listener, a supporter, a hard-worker.  She was unashamed of the Gospel and talked to the Lord all of the time.  Betty was an advocate.  She relentlessly advocated for equal access to education for her daughter through the years after she had developed rheumatoid arthritis.  The school building had three-stories and  no elevator. Though never one for public speaking, Betty repeatedly spoke at school board meetings, advocating for her daughter’s access while daily caring for her at home. Many years later, Betty again showed her character when Wayne contracted Transverse Myelitis, changing their world.  For almost two decades, Betty was Wayne’s sole caregiver, unwavering and dependable.. Though Betty shied away from the limelight and did not seek attention, she was the rock in the family.

When grandkids came into Betty’s life, she did not miss a beat, no matter the physical distance.  She named herself Gran-Gran and made many trips to Washington and Michigan to spend time with her grandkids and their celebrations.  She was always up for throwing a ball, playing “store” or building forts out of cardboard boxes. Then, the next generation began and Betty embraced being a great-grandmother with glee.  She would quickly and proudly speak of her fourteen great-grandkids whom she dubbed her “greats” to anyone she could.  They were her joy and brought out her brightest smiles.

 Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Fanny Luiken; husband, Wayne Byerly; and brother-in-law, Keith Huisman. Betty is survived by her daughters, Sherry (Alvin) Vos of Lynden, Washington and Karen (Andrew) Gorter of Holland, Michigan; sister, Ruth Huisman, Springdale, Arkansas; and grandchildren: David (Elaine) Vos of Lynden, Washington, Katherine (Nic) Padilla of Spencer, Iowa, Michael (Emily) Vos of Lynden, Washington, and Allison (Kyle) Geenen of Holland, Michigan.  Betty is also survived by her 14 “greats”: Jacquelyn, Graham, Emmett, Elizabeth, Gibson, Levi, Caleb, Greta, Adalynn, Wrenn, Griffin, Lilian, Lucas, and Gideon.

Funeral arrangements have been facilitated by Greenlawn Funeral Home of Ozark, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at The Springs Church, located in Springfield, Missouri. Her Celebration of Life will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m.  A reception will immediately follow at the church. Betty will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Betty’s memory to either The Siegel Rare Neuroimmune Association (SRNA) or to Samaritan’s Purse.

Arrangements are under the compassionate direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home in Ozark, Missouri.