Betty Jane Selvius

Betty was born to Helen and Theodore Engelsma on the family farm April 29, 1934 in East Martin, Michigan and raised in Grand Rapids. She grew up across the street from Selvius Grocery store where she was employed as a teenager and where she met Ron, her future husband and the son of the owner. Together, Betty and Ron raised their three children, loved time spent at their lake homes in Holland and DeTour Village and sailed the Great Lakes. Betty and Ron traveled extensively in Central America, New Zealand, Europe, and throughout the US and Canada.

In retirement, Betty also became a woodland gardener, book club devotee, and prolific crocheter. Throughout her life, Betty loved to sing in church and community choirs. Betty and Ron had big hearts and shared a commitment to generous hospitality and loved to feed a crowd. They also took pleasure in looking out for visiting international colleagues and college students away from home.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; dear husband of 56 years, Ronald Keith Selvius; brothers Ronald and Charles Engelsma; and sisters-in-law Dawn Selvius and Patricia Engelsma.

Treasured family and friends were the focus of Betty’s life. She is survived by her three children Cathy (Curt) Selvius DeRoo, Douglas (Shannon) Selvius, and Rhonda Workman; grandchildren Pier DeRoo (Sarah Schaffer) and Ana DeRoo (Reuben Latigo), Ben (Diane) Workman, Seth Workman, Stephanie Selvius, and Ryan Selvius; eight great-grandchildren Hendrik and Hewitt DeRoo (Pier), Maxine and Zoe Latigo (Ana), Emily and Will Workman (Ben), Jack and Lily Workman (Seth). Betty is also survived by sisters Marie (Al) DeYoung and Joyce Kraima; sister-in-law, Dena DeWald; brothers-in-law Jerry (Dorie) Selvius, Jay (Carol) Selvius, and Reuel Kenyon; and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty and Ron were devoted and loyal friends: the Atias and Oldenbroek families who were especially close and expanded their family circle.

A memorial service and visitation will held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315, with visitation with the family from 10-11 a.m. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their online guestbook.

Betty and Ron shared a concern for the welfare of others--not only family and friends, but also strangers near and far. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty’s memory to Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org) and World Central Kitchen (wck.org)