Betty Jane Cutler

CUTLER Erickson, Betty Jane
Of Kalamazoo Betty Jane Erickson Cutler, 87 years of age, died on Friday, August 13th from complications of long-term dementia; Mrs. Cutler was a resident of Upjohn Community Care Center since 2001. Born December 19, 1922, to John Erickson and Minnie Carlson Erickson of St. Joseph, MI., Betty is survived by her daughter, Dr. Mary Louise Cutler of Minneapolis, and brothers: Mr. Robert Erickson of Racine, WI., and Mr. George Erickson of St. Joseph, MI., sister-in-law and husband, the Nathan Haases Ellen May; her many affectionately-held nieces and nephews, and grand nieces/nephews. The youngest of seven children, born to first-generation Swedish immigrants from Aland and Kalmar, Sweden, Betty's life-long career as a musician commenced in girlhood when she learned to play piano and organ from her mother, then church organist at Saron Lutheran Church of St. Joseph--the organ which her electrical machinist/inventor father installed. These early associations with music, the Lutheran Church, and her Swedish heritage would prove foundations for her life. St. Joseph's Saron Lutheran Church--where she was baptized, confirmed, married, and baptized her own daughter--served as a musical home in which she led worship with piano and organ, and directed its choir. Her early love of music inspired Betty to study with accomplished piano and organ teachers; accompany a variety of musical ensembles in school and community; and eventually teach private piano lessons. After graduating with honors from St. Joseph High School, with her musical performance and teaching receiving attention, she obtained a scholarship to study at Chicago's Cosmopolitan School of Music now part of Roosevelt University. Then, Betty returned to fulltime teaching piano and church musicianship in her beloved community of St. Joseph. After WWII, Betty met and married Granville B. Cutler on April 21, 1946. Granville's talents in instrumental and vocal music drew them together into a 62-year marriage, with a daughter born in 1950. Her husband's career as a public school music teacher and administrator took them to Kalamazoo, Three Oakes, Holland, Sheridan, and Plainwell in Michigan for his work in education. Together they enjoyed attending any number of musical, drum and bugle corps/bands competitions, and traveling throughout the country for Granville's musical adjudicating and leadership in various organizations, including Lions, All-American Drum and Bugle Corps and Band Assn., 103rd Army, and MEA. In their travels, Betty ever sought out Swedish heritage sites, while appreciating Swedish communities, churches, festivals, foods, crafts, and filling her life with all things Svensk. The other great joy of her life was encouraging her daughter's theatre career, by traveling frequently and repeatedly across country, avidly lending her support. In 2001, Betty was diagnosed with dementia and entered UCCC; during the past nine years she was compassionately cared for by her many doctors/nurse practitioners, nurses, aides, administrators, environmental/maintenance/laundry workers, UCCC staff, and most recently Great Lakes' Hospice. Until his death in 2008, her husband Granville remained devotedly at her side as Betty continued to enjoy "her music" and being with family and friends; she loved attending musical events and worship services, listening to recorded classics, working with her favorite staff, and she was known by all for her ready-availability to sing. A funeral service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church at 504 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo--where she was a member--on Wednesday, August 18th at 11 AM and interment with her husband will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery 1 PM. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 17th 6-8 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 Burdick St. Please visit www.langelands.com for online guestbook, memories and condolences for the family.