It’s not every day that you turn 99, and for Betty Yeiter, the occasion called for a celebration as big as her personality.
Maple Ridge Manor, where Betty resides, put out the call for community members to send 99 cards for the big day (more than 300 arrived) and then decked out out their community room for a party.
Guests of all ages filled the room to spend time with a woman who has made her mark on the community.
Born on Feb. 7, 1924, Betty began teaching at the one-room Lowe School in 1942 before moving into a position with Lowell Area Schools. While her days in the classroom are over, her legacy as a teacher lives on in the Yeiter Learning Center, which was named in honor of her and her late husband Don.
Betty and Don traveled the world and gave generously of their time, talent and treasure. Betty’s recent gifts to the community include a donation that allowed the construction of a replica fur trader’s cabin at the the North Riverside Park and 100 acres to be used by Kent County for future parkland.
Because this was Betty’s party, there was dancing, of course.
And also cake…with the staff at Maple Ridge Manor opting not to light up 99 individual candles for the ocassion.
Betty Yeiter is a community treasure. We hope she had the happiest of days, and we wish her the happiest of years.
While Betty’s birthday has passed, if you’d like to send her a card or note, she can be reached at:
And to learn more about her remarkable life, check out this video interview from 2008:
All photos by Bruce Doll of Images of Vision.
She is such a nice lady. I enjoyed listening to the 2008 video she made. I also taught in Lowell. 1969-2005. I have moved to northern Michigan when I retired but did remember many things she did during my tenure in Lowell. Fantastic. 99 years!!!
Betty gave so much to our children and community ❤️. Happy belated birthday. Thank you for all you have given of yourself. You are a true angel 😇