1921
Betty
2016
Betty Lou Smoke
November 1, 1921 — August 28, 2016
Smoke, Betty Lou
Portage
Passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Age 94 years. Betty Lou was born on November 1, 1921, the daughter of the late Elroy and Marian (Steadman) Glendenning. She attended Western Michigan University, where she received her Master's Degree. She retired from Portage Public Schools, where she taught first grade for many years. She was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist. She was an active volunteer with Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Portage Community Outreach Center, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo. She was instrumental in founding the Kalamazoo Literacy Council and was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She was married to Clarence Duane Christian in 1942; he preceded her in death in 1952. She later was married to John Savory Smoke in 1956; who preceded her in death in 2014. Betty Lou is survived by her daughter, Linda Lou (Ronald W.) Fredricksen; four grandchildren, Heather (Stephen) Schaefer of Wisconsin, Jon Roberts of Wisconsin, Christopher Christian of Oregon and Darron Christian of Wyoming, MI; four great-granddaughters; and two sisters, Rosemary Appelgren and Nancy Cone. She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Duane Christian; her infant daughter, Lucinda Lou Christian; and her sister, Barbara Froom. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of a traditional service, Betty Lou's wish was that friends and family consider a memorial donation to Kalamazoo Literacy Council, First Church of Christ Scientist, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo or Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.
**MEMORIALS**
In lieu of a traditional service:
Kalamazoo Literacy Council
420 E. Alcott
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-382-0490
www.kalamazooliteracy.org
First Church of Christ Scientist
1225 Portage St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-343-7833
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 S. Park St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-349-7775
www.kiarts.org
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra - Instrument Petting Zoo
359 S. Burdick St. Suite 100
Kalamazoo, MI 4907
269-343-2526
www.kalamazoosymphony.com
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
901 Portage St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-488-2617
www.kzoolf.org
Portage
Passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Age 94 years. Betty Lou was born on November 1, 1921, the daughter of the late Elroy and Marian (Steadman) Glendenning. She attended Western Michigan University, where she received her Master's Degree. She retired from Portage Public Schools, where she taught first grade for many years. She was a member of First Church of Christ Scientist. She was an active volunteer with Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Portage Community Outreach Center, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo. She was instrumental in founding the Kalamazoo Literacy Council and was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She was married to Clarence Duane Christian in 1942; he preceded her in death in 1952. She later was married to John Savory Smoke in 1956; who preceded her in death in 2014. Betty Lou is survived by her daughter, Linda Lou (Ronald W.) Fredricksen; four grandchildren, Heather (Stephen) Schaefer of Wisconsin, Jon Roberts of Wisconsin, Christopher Christian of Oregon and Darron Christian of Wyoming, MI; four great-granddaughters; and two sisters, Rosemary Appelgren and Nancy Cone. She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Duane Christian; her infant daughter, Lucinda Lou Christian; and her sister, Barbara Froom. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of a traditional service, Betty Lou's wish was that friends and family consider a memorial donation to Kalamazoo Literacy Council, First Church of Christ Scientist, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Instrument Petting Zoo or Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.
**MEMORIALS**
In lieu of a traditional service:
Kalamazoo Literacy Council
420 E. Alcott
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-382-0490
www.kalamazooliteracy.org
First Church of Christ Scientist
1225 Portage St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-343-7833
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts
314 S. Park St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-349-7775
www.kiarts.org
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra - Instrument Petting Zoo
359 S. Burdick St. Suite 100
Kalamazoo, MI 4907
269-343-2526
www.kalamazoosymphony.com
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
901 Portage St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
269-488-2617
www.kzoolf.org
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