Elizabeth J. 'Betty' Holden

HOLDEN, Elizabeth J. "Betty" Elizabeth Jane Holden, age 89, passed away on December 11, 2012 in Plano, TX, the last of eight siblings. Betty was born September 24, 1923 in Ann Arbor, MI, the daughter of John Henry and Ida Amelia Steffen Hatto. On February 7, 1943, Betty was united in marriage to Glenn Ivan Holden. Following Ivan's military service they became residents of Kalamazoo. Betty and Ivan were not only partners in life but also best friends and business partners in their 65 years together. Throughout the years they were successful business owners of The Iceberg Drive-In, Ivanhoe Restaurant and later Ivanhoe Carpet Shoppe, where they worked with their daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Gary Plumb. They were faithful and active members of Milwood United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Betty and Ivan were charter members of the Golden "K" Kiwanis Club and always served together in many capacities and community organizations throughout the years. In their leisure time they were world travelers and part of an RV Club; traveling to many countries and were able to say that they had visited all 50 states. Even with all of her business and community activities, Betty most important part of her life was her family. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Ivan on January 1, 2009. Surviving are her son, Ted Kathy Holden of Plano, TX; her daughter, Susan Gary Plumb of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Nate and Sam Holden, Britt McNabb Denny Fairbairn, Heather Plumb, Chris Justine Plumb; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Tyler, Mitchell, Owen and Olivia; a great-great-grandchild, Brooklyn; nieces, nephews and other relatives. Betty has been laid to rest with her husband in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South Mausoleum. A Memorial Service to celebrate Betty's life will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Milwood United Methodist Church 3919 Portage Road, Kalamazoo. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to services at the church and immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to the Parkinson's Foundation or the American Cancer Society.