Betty Louania Mohr

Betty was an incredibly determined woman who was born at home on the farm in LeRoy Michigan to Clarence and Edith Caldwell on November 10, 1932. She was a cheerleader and played girls basketball at LeRoy High School, where she graduated in 1950. Soon after graduation she moved to Detroit where she studied to become a Registered Nurse at Henry Ford Hospital. While there, she made many friends, waited tables for extra money, and even played piano duets with the infamous Dr Kevorkian. Her study emphasis was on psychiatry and her first job was at Northville State Hospital in Northville Michigan. Here she earned the rank of head nurse and was responsible for many patients and staff. This is also where she met Monte Mohr, her future husband, who worked as an orderly, drew blood, and took EEGs for the patients residing there.

Betty and Monte were married January 22, 1955, on a very cold day in Newberry, Michigan, which was home to Monte’s family. They began married life in Northville, then moved to Redford Township in Detroit to start a family. In 1968 they moved the family to Lansing when Monte began work with the State of Michigan, Secretary of State and were happily married 67 years until Monte’s passing in 2022.

Their children, Pamela born in 1959, and Paula born in 1961 attended DeWitt schools and participated in many activities. Betty and Monte were both big supporters of these activities. They could both be found attending all the band and choral concerts, sporting matches, cheerleading, and school plays in rain or shine. They took pride in the growth and harvesting of the backyard garden enjoying the fresh food, and spending many family hours canning tomatoes, making jam and pickles, and freezing vegetables to enjoy throughout the year.

Betty was a stay-at-home mom while the girls were young. She then began work at Farm Bureau Insurance where she became a certified professional secretary and retired from this work in 1985. Betty used these organizational skills to delve into her family history where she documented her lineage back to the American Revolution. She applied for and became a “DAR/Daughters of the American Revolution” member.

Betty was a woman of great faith and passed this on to her children. The family wishes to thank Maranatha Baptist Church, First Baptist of Mount Dora, and First Baptist Church of DeWitt. Your church family is special. Betty and Monte were proud to serve the Lord as members of these churches.

Betty was very close to her mother Edith M. Caldwell, who lived with Betty and family from the early days in Detroit until her passing in 1987.

Upon Monte and Betty’s retirement, they purchased an RV, took the dog, and traveled to visit various relatives and scenic places. They enjoyed these times and the many friends they met along the way. When the Michigan cold weather became tiresome, they packed up and moved to Lake Worth, Florida. Monte became Vice Mayor and Betty enjoyed being a politician’s wife for a few years. The next period of their life took them to Mount Dora, Florida. They enjoyed their life in Mount Dora. Monte worked as a painter and Betty worked as a nurse at Waterman’s Village. They used this extra income to proudly purchase new furniture for their retirement home in the warm weather. The girls and their families enjoyed many vacations with their mom and dad in the warm Florida sun.

With declining health, they decided to move back to Michigan to be with their family. They enjoyed their last few years at Cadgewith Farms where they had wonderful neighbors and special friends that looked out for them. (Shout out to Diane and Clinton and Ellie on Blenheim Place).

The Mohr family would like to give special recognition and appreciation to caregivers Saundra Fitzpatrick-Fryer and Holly Kosht who loved both Betty and Monte like family and took extra special care of them while they were still at home. They cooked wonderful meals, cleaned the house, cared for Buffy the dog, and assisted in so many ways giving them dignity in the last days.

We would also like to recognize the special people at Addington Place, now Serene Gardens of DeWitt. The Management, many caregivers, cooks, and cleaning staff were all kind caring people who worked hard to make Betty feel comfortable, clean, and loved. You are so appreciated.

Elara Caring provided excellent hospice care. The nurses were all gentle and compassionate looking for ways to keep Betty comfortable and the family informed in her last hours.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Edith and Clarence Caldwell, Her brother Dee S. Caldwell and her husband Monte Mohr.

Betty is survived by her daughters; Pamela (David) Butler, and Paula (Richard) Garver. Granddaughters; Dianna (Andrew) Paulsen, Krista (Keith) Young, Rachael (Kyle) Daymond, Korie (Elijah) Diaz. Great-grandchildren; Evelyn, Bryant, Haylie and Tyler Paulsen, Noah, Grace and Ava Young. Sisters in law; Sharon Caldwell (Dee) and Dr. Jane (Don) Dye. Nieces and nephews; DeeLayne (Michael) Verdon, Lori Caldwell Palmer, Daniel Caldwell, and Christina L. Caldwell LaVergne.

Visitation will be held at Gorsline Runciman DeWitt Chapel, 205 E. Washington St., Friday, April 28 from 1 p.m. until memorial service at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grdewitt.com for the Mohr family.