Betty Olinger

Betty Louise Olinger, age 88, of Climax, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2015.  She was born November 29, 1926 in Kalamazoo, Michigan the daughter of Donald L. and Marjorie Helen (Dutton) Hubbard.  When she was 12ish, and lived two doors down Washington Ave., from the Battle Creek Adventist Sanitarium, she and her friends would play in the tunnels connecting the Main Building, the Creamery, and the Laundry etc.  Occasionally, they got caught by Dr. Kellogg, and were promptly told to “get on home”.  On one occasion, Dr. Kellogg had to chase her around the fountain in the Garden Room, to get her to leave.  Betty was a 1943 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School and ironically began working at the Sanitarium in 1941, when she was 16, as a waitress in the Dining Room.  During the war, the Sanitarium limousine picked up the working students and brought them to work. She worked at the Sanitarium until the end of the summer after graduation.  She then worked in a dime store downtown, for about a year and a half.  Her next job was to stay home for a while, after her two daughters were born.  The Sanitarium called her back and she then worked in the dietician’s office.  Her next assignment was as Assistant Hostess in the Dining room for 3-5 years and then she moved up to the position as Head Hostess of the Main Dining Room.  In 1971, she was asked to take the position as Cashier for the Accounting Office until she retired in 1989.  Betty was a survivor.
Betty enjoyed bowling, bingo, spending time at the summer trailer at Light House Village in Homer.  Ceramics and various crafts were also her hobbies and most of us have a munchkin or two in our front lawns that was lovingly made by Betty.  After retirement, she was a member of the B.P.O.E Vivian’s Auxiliary and a member of the Women’s Auxiliary at the Battle Creek Sanitarium.  As a true grandmother and great grandmother, she always enjoyed those visits from “the kids”.
On March 4, 1944 Betty was married to Carlton G. Olinger at Lakeview Baptist Church and he preceded her in death on March 20, 1997.  She is survived by her daughters:  Janet (Richard) Heger of Cedaredge, CO and Karlene Olinger of Climax; two grandchildren Michelle (Scott) Chamberlin and Kate (Chris) Canine; two great-grandsons: Nolan and Winston Chamberlin; her beloved sister Leona (Charles) Hallerbach of Climax and several nieces and their families.  Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 30, 2015 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with Rev. James Codde officiating and visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Internment at Fort Custer National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Betty’s name can be made to your favorite charity or to:  ASPCA Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20077-7127, 1-800-628-0028 or to Bronson at Home Hospice Services, 166 E. Goodale Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49037. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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