Betty Lou Holmes (Kilpatrick)

Betty Lou Holmes (Kilpatrick), 77 yrs of Ida, MI, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020, after fighting many health issues. All services are private due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A graveside service will take place in the spring at Mt. Joy Cemetery, Harrisville, MI.

Born August 20, 1943, in River Rouge, MI. Betty was the daughter of Donald and Essiemay (Fitzpatrick) Kilpatrick. She was raised in Harrisville on the family farm. She was a 1961 Alcona High School Graduate. She married Gary Holmes on June 10, 1961, in Harrisville, MI. Betty worked at Hudson's, Ida Public Schools, and was a successful Tupperware and Mary Kay consultant. She retired as a teacher’s aid in 1999 after 19 years of service with the Monroe County ISD.

Betty and Gary began a 13-year adventure in their motorhome traveling the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand. They traded the traveling life for the sunny beaches of Venice, FL. to enjoy the sand, sun, sunsets, and good friends. She was a member of St. Mark Episcopal Church in Venice and loved their bible study. In her younger years, Betty was a founding member of the “Westland Weirdos.” Some of her hobbies included bowling, cake decorating, sewing, genealogy, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty was the number one fan at all the sporting events of her children, grandchildren, and great children. She was an amazing mom, grandma, and great-grandma who always put others first and gave to those in need. And after all that, she would break out the cards for a heated game of Canasta.

Survivors include her husband, Gary; children, Michael (Patty) Holmes, John (Dawn) Holmes, Tracy (Jeffrey) Miller; grandchildren, Marlo (Ron), Lyndsay (Aaron), Kelsey (Nate), Shannon, Cody, Bryce, and great-grandchildren, Ronnie, Hadley, Wesley, Bentley, Lincoln, and Sadie. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Jay Kilpatrick.

Memorial contributions for Mrs. Holmes can be made to The Arthritis Foundation.