Betty Frances Pelka, age 79, of Kentwood, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 22, 2026.  Betty was born in the Philippines on August 10, 1947. Her father was in the U.S. Army in World War II and was stationed in the Philippines where he met and married her mother. Betty came to the U.S. when she was one year old. She attended Wayland High School where she met the love of her life, Ron, as a sophomore. Seven years later, they were married at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Ron firmly believes that God intended for them to be together for 57 years of marriage and he is so thankful to God for blessing him with Betty. 

Betty attended Western Michigan University, and then worked at Aetna Insurance. Later, she worked at Macy’s. She and Ron were blessed to have three children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Betty and Sharon Hurbanis spent countless hours running the concession stand for the Kentwood baseball league while working full time at Macy’s. Ron will always remember Betty with a smile on his face for all the happiness and joy she brought to him and their family. 

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ron Pelka; children: Michelle Groh; Terri (Matt) Adams, and Kevin (Megumi) Pelka; grandchildren: Ace Pelka, Aly (Gary) Searle, Abria (Filipe) Amigo, Gabe Groh, Calvin Adams, Ava Adams, Minami Hachiya; great grandchildren: Isaac, Ryugi; sister-in-law, Monica (Mike) Tyler, Julie Spencer, Sharon Spencer; brothers-in-law: Don Pelka and Lyle (Karen) Whitney; and daughter-in-law, Shanais Pelka.  Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Monserrat Spencer; two brothers: Mel Spencer, Ray Spencer; and sister-in-law, Carol Whitney.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 3 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood followed by a rosary at 8 p.m. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026 at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 1253 52nd St. SE, Kentwood, with Rev. Peter Vu presiding.  A luncheon will follow the service at church.  Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery.  The family wishes to express their special thanks to the staff of Davita, Tandem 365 and Corewell Health Hospice for their compassionate care of Betty.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to St. Mary Magdalen Church.