Elizabeth “Betty Kaiser” Mikesell

Elizabeth “Betty Kaiser” Mikesell, age 91, of Kentwood, was peacefully escorted to her heavenly home by the angels on Monday, February 13, 2023. Known to her friends as “Betty”, she was an amazing person, wife and mother of 7 children. She was our COO, CFO, Treasurer, line worker, nurse, teacher, counselor and biggest fan. As a graduate of Godwin High School and lifetime area resident, with a tireless work ethic, she forged herself into quite an entrepreneur, business creator, accomplished baton twirler, teacher, judge, provider and caring leader. She had a lifelong loving relationship with her husband, where they were a model of trust and respect for each other. She was an unending supporter of her family, including both her children and grandchildren, where she was a constant taxi driver to and video crew for almost every form of sporting event. In 1949, at age 17, she started learning baton twirling, won numerous medals at state and national competitions, soon becoming a registered teacher and judge. Betty was a featured teacher at national baton twirling camps in Texas, California, Arizona and Washington. She then formed her own baton corp. and taught throughout West Michigan at numerous schools and studios, where she rented space in downtown Grand Rapids. They performed at the Tangerine Bowl, Detroit Lions games, the Lowell Showboat, on several T.V. shows, the reception of Robert Kennedy at the airport, and many other events. Known as the “Betty Kaiser Kadettes” including up to 60 twirlers and a music section for events, she and her corp. donated their time for years, performing around West Michigan at countless parades. In 1957 the Mayor of Grand Rapids deemed them the “Official Representative” of the City of Grand Rapids. In 1961, she bought a used Greyhound bus, in order to take her corp. on multiple trips; including to the New York World’s Fair, Nationals in Galveston, Texas, Disneyland, the Miss Universe Parade in California, and numerous other adventures. Betty regularly organized Baton Twirling contests around West Michigan, where she acted as everything from the event creator and financial sponsor to its promoter, hirer of the judges, acquirer, presenter of the awards, cook and operator of the concessions, costume designer/seamstress and head of the clean-up crew. In a later chapter of her life, when her husband experienced some bad health, Betty picked up the ball and went to work at Steelcase for 20 years to provide for the family. She enjoyed many of her co-workers and worked in several capacities from seamstress to hi-lo driver. In her “spare time” she enjoyed watching basketball (Steph Curry and Kobe were her favorites), traveling, a sunny day at the pool, garage sale hunting, Elvis, Shirley Temple, dolls, and NASCAR, which she learned to enjoy from her Steelcase friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maurice; daughter, Michelle (Brian) Bailey; son, Marvin (Shannon); brothers, Lawrence (Bert) and Robert (Wilma). She will be lovingly remembered by her sons: Michael and Lydia Mikesell, Mitchell Mikesell, Martin and Terri Mikesell, Mathew Mikesell, Morey “Mickey” Mikesell; 17 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Donna Thieme, Marcelene Dummond, Karen Sytsma, Marvin (Donna) Kaiser, Glenna Roberts; sister-in-law, Wilma Kaiser; many nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 20, 2023 at St. John Vianney Church, 4101 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, with Rev. John Vallier presiding. Burial will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4031 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming.