Elizabeth “Bette” Jane Barrett

Elizabeth “Bette” Jane Barrett, age 98, of Kentwood, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Monday, November 2, 2020. Bette was born on February 17, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her prior husbands, Claude Vander Ploeg and Bill Van Coevering; twin brothers, John Edward and Edward John Vander Veen; and step-daughter, Cindy Hutchinson. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Barrett; sons, Claude (Donna) Vander Ploeg, Jon (Pam) Vander Ploeg; daughters, Julie (Jim) Bolton, Susan (Mark) Ewing; stepchildren, Jim (Gail) Van Coevering, Cheryl (Bill) Reetz, and Joyce Van Coevering along with 17 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. A few years after graduating from Ottawa Hills High School in 1939, and shortly before Claude shipped out to land in Normandy during WWII, Bette married Claude Vander Ploeg. Before his untimely death in 1968, Bette and then Circuit Judge Vander Ploeg had their four children, Claude, Jon, Julie and Susan.  A few years later Bette married Bill Van Coevering and became very involved in the lives of her step children, Jim, Cheryl, Cindy, and Joyce Van Coevering. Bette was a woman of many interests.  She followed her family closely and was active on Facebook right up to the date of her death. She was an accomplished seamstress creating beautiful garments and quilts well into her 90's.  She traveled, played bridge with friends, square danced, sang in church and community choirs and enjoyed gardening.  Bette was a devoted Christian who worshipped with many congregations during her long life, including Garfield Park Reformed, Eastminster Presbyterian and most recently Brookside Christian Reformed.  A private memorial service will be held Saturday, November 7 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood.   In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to the Family Hope Foundation, 7086 8^th Ave., Jenison, MI  49428.