Betty Marie Kidder

On November 17, 2025 Betty Marie Kidder, age 92, passed into heaven to be with her Lord and Savior, and to be with her loving husband and son. Betty was born in Ionia Township on September 27, 1933 to Mildred (Craft) and Lorenz Kosbar.

Betty grew up in Morgan, MI and graduated from Nashville High School. After marrying Thomas Edwin Kidder on March 7, 1953, they settled in Hastings and went on to have three children; Kenneth Edwin, Kevin Thomas and Karen Marie.

While lovingly raising and supporting her family, Betty worked in a variety of different businesses in Hastings. Her longest career, over 25 years, was in food services with the Hastings school system. Since age 6, Betty held the longest membership of Hastings Baptist church. She thoroughly enjoyed the activities with the ladies. Tom and Betty spent their retired winters in Hawthorne Florida, welcoming visitors from “up north”. They also enjoyed camping and traveling with others. Betty particularly loved her time with her grandchildren.

Betty is preceded in death by her loving husband Tom, their son Kevin, brother Don Kosbar, sister Pauline Osborn, half-sister Joan Kornoelje, and sister-in-law Bess Gross. Betty is survived by her children Karen (Russell) Thompson, Ken Kidder and his friend Karen (Casey) Harton; grandchildren Korey (Vicki) Kidder, Doug Kidder, Mark (Jessica) Thompson, Matt (Rachel) Thompson, and Michael (Becky) Thompson. Betty was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves behind brothers Loyd Gross, Stuart (Diane) Gross, sister Joyce (Earl) Stevens, sister Glenda (Dennis) Stevens, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Laurels of Kent in Lowell and Emmanuel Hospice for their compassionate care during her last few months of life. Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Visitation will be Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Girrbach Funeral Home 328 S. Broadway St. Hastings, Michigan. Funeral services will be at the funeral home on Monday, November 24, 2025, at 11:00 am. Following the service, all are invited to stay for a luncheon followed by interment at the Irving Township Cemetery. Services will be officiated by life-long friend Pastor Sandy Rogers.

To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.