Betty J. Strong

Betty J. Strong, age 94, of Frankfort, Illinois and formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan passed away Thursday, December 28, 2023.

She is survived by her loving family, daughters Beth (Sam) Enskat and Connie Strong, grandchildren, Kelly and Sarah Enskat, Thad Varga and great grandchildren River Enskat-Costeas and Tyler and Areell Varga. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Ridgeway Strong, son Dana Varga, and grandson Danny Varga.

Betty Joy Strong was born in the hills of Dixie, West Virginia on April 18, 1929. She moved to Battle Creek where she worked and raised her family. She worked at Fort Custer for the 5th Army during the Korean War. After the birth of her second child, Betty worked as an executive secretary for General Foods until she joined the Calhoun County Courts in 1971. She worked as a judicial account clerk in Marshall and in 1975 she became the first Magistrate in Battle Creek’s 10th District court. Her favorite part of her job was performing marriage ceremonies. She retired after 15 years. She wanted to make a difference, and she did.

Betty loved daffodils and ladybugs. She was a collector of elephant statues. Betty enjoyed a good scotch or a
gin martini. She was a serious bridge player and rarely lost. She loved golfing and bowling, playing in leagues
for both sports. She had a love for history, travel, art and literature. Her travels included Israel, Egypt, Spain,
Ireland, Japan, China, Scotland, Thailand, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Singapore, Nova Scotia, Canada, Columbia,
Venezuela, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Monaco…to name a few. She often told stories of her travels and her daring decisions of going off the beaten path. Always taking the road less traveled.

In her later years, she enjoyed going to the movies, watching game shows, reading books (millions of books),
sharing her favorite poems, working the crossword, and spending quality time with family and friends. Betty,
described by friends and family as “an amazing and admirable woman”, lived a life full of love and adventure.

Friends will be received 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, January 7, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care in Battle Creek, where services will be held January 8, 2024, at 11: 00 a.m. Monday. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Frankfort Public Library District, 21119 S. Pfeiffer, Frankfort, IL 60423 or online at FriendsofFrankfortLibrary.org . Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.