Margaretha "Margaret" Catharina (Willemsen) Betz

Margaretha “Margaret” Catharina (Willemsen) Betz

Cherished Time with Grandchildren -

Margaretha “Margaret” Catharina (Willemsen) Betz, age 87, of Mechanicsburg, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Monday, March 4, 2019.  Margaret was born on Friday, March 4, 1932 in Arnhem, Netherlands to the late Willem Willemsen and Seimetje (Willemsen) Willemsen.  In addition to her parents, Margaret is preceded in death by her brother, Wim, and sister, Sien.

Margaret’s survivors include her husband of 62 years, Gerrit Johannes Betz; her three daughters: Diana M. Merkel and her husband, Greg, of Mechanicsburg, Winnie M. Work of Etters, Amy M. Betz and her significant other, Jack Sargent, of Anson, ME; her six grandchildren: Katie Merkel, Gregory Merkel, Andrea Work, Benjamin Work and his wife, Brianna, Christiann Merkel, Tessann Merkel; her brother, John Willemsen and his wife, Antoinette, of Holland; and several nieces and nephews.

Margaret graduated from Heselberg High School in Arnhem, Netherlands as part of the class of 1949.  In 1957, she and her husband, Gerrit, immigrated to the United States on the Refuge Relief Act to start their lives together.  She retired from Gerrit J. Betz, Inc. in Shiremanstown, after nearly 20 years of service working as the office manager and bookkeeper.  Margaret was a member of Shiremanstown United Methodist Church since 1992.  She was a member of Geisinger Holy Spirit Auxiliary and never missed a class at The Cooking School at Giant Food Stores.  Margaret loved to garden and to watch and feed the birds. She also enjoyed traveling and playing cards, especially Pinochle, with her friends and grandchildren.  Margaret liked to knit, crotchet, needlepoint, and sew; she loved making clothes for her girls as they were growing up.  The most cherished moments in her life were the times she spent with her grandchildren.

All are welcome to join Margaret’s family at her gathering of family and friends on Friday, March 15, 2019, from 3:00 p.m. until time of service at 4:00 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Celebrant Bob Buhrig officiating.  Margaret’s family invites their friends to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, 61 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, following the service.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Margaret’s life can be made to Homeland at Home Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg, PA 17110, www.HomelandAtHome.org/Giving-Back/ or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601, www.ALZ.org/Donate.

Margaret’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Margaret’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at Buhrig.com.