Bette Lou Doerr

Bette Lou (Hemingway) (Starner) Doerr was born June 22, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois to Elmer and Margaret (Sherman) Hemingway. She passed away on May 8, 2025, in Okemos, Michigan. Bette married Craig Starner and together they were parents of four children: Faith Andrea Embry (Ronald), Roni Renee Isham (Jeffrey), Guy Howard Starner (Deborah), and Greta Jean Nelson (Daniel). Later in life, Bette married Clarence Doerr. Bette was grandmother to Lauren (Brandon) Simpson, James (Hilary) Embry, April Isham, Rachel (Anthony) Wilson, Abby (Richard) Sigler, Dale (Amy) Wren, Dee (Hollis) South, Monica Nelson, Robert Nelson, Christopher Nelson and Marissa Nelson. Bette was great grandmother to Scarlett, Victoria, Tucker, Alexander, Elliott, Whitney, Joseph, Eugene, Anthony Jr, Alayna, Ryan, and Joshua.

Bette attended Michigan State University and then took time off to raise her family. She was a member of MENSA and included her children on some MENSA activities. Eventually, she worked for the IRS as an auditor, Farm Bureau Insurance in accounting, and Employers Mutual Insurance as an office manager.

Bette was a devoted Christian and was actively involved in several faith communities over the course of her life, including Maranatha Baptist church in Lansing, Michigan. Bette loved children and volunteered many hours with Child Evangelism Fellowship (C. E. F.) in the Lansing area. Bette loved to travel and had a goal to visit all seven continents. Together with Clarence she was able to visit six continents. Although she wished to see Antarctica, she was not able to get there. She did get to walk The Great Wall of China and climb Machu Picchu, which were bucket list accomplishments.

Bette is predeceased by her parents; her husband; her stepson, Paul Doerr, and three siblings. She is survived by her children; grandchildren; great grandchildren; her stepchildren, David (Maria) Doerr and Brenda (Gary) Penshorn; her brother, David (Barbara) Hemingway; sister-in-law, Karen Hemingway; special cousin, Robert (Debbie) Sherman and multiple generations of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on May 15, 2025, at Maranatha Baptist Church, 2300 N Waverly Rd, Lansing, Michigan 48906 at 1:00 PM. A memorial celebration will follow immediately at the church at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Bette’s name to C. E. F. at 4215 West Mt Hope Hwy, Lansing, Michigan 48917.