Betty Mae Raetzel, 98, of Port Huron, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 1, 2024 surrounded by her family.
She was born September 27, 1925 in Port Huron to the late John and Carrie Large.
Betty graduated from Port Huron High School in 1943 and Port Huron Junior College in 1945. While in college and for the next 13 years she worked the reception desk at Mueller Brass. She was a member of Women’s Life Review #1, volunteered at the Port Huron Museum and was also a member of St. Andrew’s Society and P.E.O. in Sarasota, Florida. Betty was a life-long member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, now called Community of Christ Church.
She married the love of her life, Mike Raetzel in 1948. Together they owned and operated Raetzel Shoes in downtown Port Huron for over 50 years. Betty enjoyed reading history, painting china with her friends, and spent many years wintering in Siesta Key, Florida with her husband and family.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mike; and her daughter, Carolyn Raetzel-Webster. She is survived by her son, Dennis M. Raetzel and daughter-in-law, Dr. Karen Niver-Raetzel; grandchildren, Michael (Erica) Raetzel of Boynton Beach, Florida, Jennifer (Jacob) Witek of Gaines, Michigan and Megan (Joseph) Aldrich of Charlotte, North Carolina; great-grandchildren who loved her dearly, Michael, Liliana and Maverick Raetzel, Leo, Atlas, Mira and Skyler Witek and Miles Aldrich; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Kathleen Lis, daughter of her beloved sister, Eileen. Betty was also very grateful for and came to deeply love her long-term caregiver, Victoria Palmateer.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2024 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Elder Dave Giles will officiate.
Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Port Huron.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community of Christ Church Wadhams Grove in Kimball, Michigan.
Betty’s family would like to express our profound gratitude and love to the caregivers and entire staff of Lakeshore Woods Retirement Community. The tenderness and devotion with which they cared for Betty will forever remain in our hearts.
