Betty Mildred Layton (nee Breutzman), passed away on Friday, Feb. 7 at her home surrounded by her family. She was the beloved wife of Duane T. Layton; loving mother of Dennis Layton and Alicia (Jose’) Rivera Jr.; cherished sister of the late Peter Breutzman and Mark (the late Jean) Breutzman; dear aunt of Cathy (the late Randy) Vawter, Vicki (Bruce) Liebowitz, Mary (George) Cassar, Rose Emory, Linda Breutzman, Mark (FuMing Lin) Breutzman Jr., Elizabeth (Ray) Mears and Margaret (Jon) Kilzer.
Betty grew up in Michigan where she met and married the love of her life in 1967. The early years of their marriage took them to Colorado Springs and then to Germany while Duane served in the Army. After Germany they moved to Illinois.
In 1975, when her church in Palos Heights, Illinois had a need for a Kindergarten teacher, despite having no teaching experience, she put herself through classes to become one of the best. Betty’s passion for teaching God’s word to His little lambs was extraordinary. Betty taught at Palos Ev. Lutheran School for 12 years and then retired to move to Hammond, Indiana to care for a dear friend only to return six years later to teach Pre-School for another nine years. Then they moved to Michigan to live full time at the summer home that was always called “the cottage”. Once again, she was called by the Lord to teach His lambs and became the kindergarten teacher at Trinity Lutheran in Bangor for five more years.
Betty enjoyed gardening and bird watching. She loved her cats, Winnie the Pooh, the Chicago Cubs and the Dallas Cowboys. Betty’s incredible cooking was always her way to bring family together. Thanksgiving dinner was her specialty. No one made better gravy than she did! Our Thanksgiving traditions with the Mitchells will continue on in her memory. Carole, Kim, Wendy and Bill, she loved you so much too. Betty also had many “bonus kids” who she loved like her own. In particular, the “Michigan Bashers,” who spent 13 consecutive summers bringing her joy, fun, love, and jello shots, are all feeling her loss like they’ve also lost their “Mom”.
To Betty’s “Partner in Crime” Amanda Perkins, we also want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the love and care you showed her. We love you. To Hannah, Betty’s hospice nurse, you are one of the best and we thank you.
What we will remember most about Betty is her love for Christ. His promise of eternal life is hers now. We thank Him for blessing us with her precious life and her great love for all of us will carry us through.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in South Haven, 718 Arbor Court. Pastor Stephen Daley will be officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. up until the time of the service. Memorial donations in memory of Betty may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church. Those wishing to leave an online message for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
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