ISHPEMING, MI – Betty A. (Van Driessche) Larson, age 93, passed away at her home on Monday May 25, 2026, while in the comforting care of her family.

Betty was born April 5, 1933, to Marcella (De Clark) and Edmond Van Driessche in Norway, MI. She lived on a farm in Vulcan until 1941 when the family then moved to Chicago, Ill. In 1947, they moved to Negaunee.

After completing high school at St. Paul’s, Class of 1951 she worked at the Mining Journal office in Negaunee for a time before moving to Chicago where she worked for a suite of 16 doctors on Michigan Ave.

On February 19, 1955, she married Kenneth Larson at St. Ignatius Loyola church in Chicago and became a military Air Force wife, traveling extensively which she loved. They lived in New Mexico, California, Colorado twice, Texas, New Jersey, Germany, Kincheloe AFB, and K.I. Sawyer AFB. To complete their family, they had four children, Kenny, Sally, Cathy, and Carol.

They traveled quite extensively while living in Germany and saw a good part of Europe. It was a wonderful experience for the whole family, an invaluable education to be treasured. Raising their four children was her priority and enjoying her three grandchildren and two sweet great-grandchildren filled her heart.

Betty worked for Head Start in Ishpeming before becoming a caregiver for her mother. She was an associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph since the 80’s. She was a member of St. John’s the Evangelist Catholic Church and was a Eucharistic Minister at Bell Hospital. She and Ken helped start the current grief support group with Sister Rosemary Junak in 1979. Betty happily volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul’s store in Ishpeming for 30 years.

Betty will be immensely missed by everyone who knew her, especially her family. She and Ken were married for 71 years and were only apart for 5 days before they were reunited in heaven where their son Kenny was waiting for them with arms wide open. Rest in peace mom. We love you.

Betty is survived by her three daughters, Sally (Jeff) Aitcheson of Texas, Cathy Larson of Harvey, and Carol Juul of Harvey; three grandchildren, Danielle (Wayne) Allen of Texas, Kenna (Gus) Farrach of Texas and John Earnest, Jr. of Baltimore; and two great-grandchildren, Tavo and Violet Farrach of Texas.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 71 years, Kenneth Larson, who passed away five days prior to her death; her son, Kenneth in 1979; a sister, Marion McComber; son-in-law Ronald Juul; daughter-in-law Pat Tettimer; her parents, Edmond and Marcella Van Driessche; her mother and father-in-law Sophie and Carl Larson; three sisters-in-law, Helen Cox, Evelyn Corkin and June (Mike) Tasson; brothers-in-law, Leslie McComber and Mike Tasson, and brother-in-law Ray Larson; and sister-in-law, Pena Larson.

A combined memorial mass for Betty and her husband Kenneth will be held Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, with the memorial mass starting at 11:00am, with Fr. Larry Van Damme celebrating. A luncheon will follow at the church in the K/D Hall.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Vincent de Paul Society Store, 322 Cleveland Ave, Ishpeming, MI 49849. Burial will take place in the Ishpeming Cemetery.

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.