Betty's life began July 15, 1923, in Oak Park, Ill. She was the daughter of Walter and Olive Tuegel. Betty lived in Maywood, Ill., until moving to Watervliet in 1937. In 1941, she graduated from Watervliet High School, where she met her husband, who was a classmate. Betty spent all her summer vacations at Paw Paw Lake. Her grandparents had built a cottage at Paw Paw Lake in 1906. Her father and her husband's mother had known each other in the early 1900s. Betty and her husband, Lawrence Strouse, married in 1942, six weeks before he entered the service in 1943. Betty was able to be with her husband during his time in the service at Fort Custer, Mich., and Fort Sheridan, Ill. While at Fort Custer, she worked at Oliver Farm Equipment and National Register. At Fort Sheridan she worked in Medical Separation and Officers Separation Pay.
Betty and Larry moved back to Watervliet after his discharge from the service to start raising a family – two daughters, Gail Weber and Marcia Strouse. Betty then went to work first as an assistant to the librarian at Watervliet District Library for six years and then as the principal's secretary at Watervliet High School in 1962. On May 30, 1986, she retired from Watervliet Public Schools, the same day her husband retired from Watervliet Paper Mill. Betty enjoyed all kinds of needlework and reading. She also enjoyed golf and was a member of the Paw Paw Lake Golf Club. Betty was also a member of the SWMCC, Eastern Star, North Berrien Historical Society and charter member of MECCA.
She leaves behind a loving family to cherish her memory, which includes two daughters, Gail Strouse and Marcia Strouse; a grandson, Todd (Tana) Kinzler; four great-grandchildren: Brandon Kinzler, Caleb Strouse, Hunter Millsap and CJ Millsap; in-laws Luke and Judith Albers, who have both been like a brother and sister;, and many nieces, nephews; and wonderful friends.
Betty died Tuesday, Sept. 16, at her home. Her loving husband, Lawrence Strouse; a granddaughter, Erin Strouse; and her parents preceded Betty in death. Funeral services will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, with visitation starting at 1 p.m. at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet. Memorials may be made in Betty's memory to Hospice at Home. You are invited to leave a memory of Betty at hutchinsfuneral.com.
