Elizabeth Hiemstra, Oct. 29, 1939-Nov. 24, 2011

Elizabeth “Betty” Hiemstra, 72, of Milan, passed away early Thursday morning, Nov. 24, 2011, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Oct. 29, 1939, in Englewood, N.J., daughter of the late Frances and Mildred Ward. She graduated from Bergenfield (N.J.) High School in 1957, before relocating to Sandusky with her family in 1969, and then to Milan in 1974.

Elizabeth worked at Battles Insurance, Norwalk, until her retirement in 1998.

She was a member of Middle Bass Yacht Club, Sandusky Yacht Club and Sandusky Power Squadron. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and she most enjoyed spoiling her family and spending time with her very dear friends on Middle Bass Island.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years Edward Hiemstra; two sons, Scott and Mark Hiemstra; daughter Debbie (Dennis) Davie; grandchildren, Sean and Mackenzie Hiemstra and Dan and Dominic Davie; two nieces and one nephew; and sister-in law Betty Ann (Albert) Baliman of New Jersey.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Eileen Englehardt, and her grandson Timothy M. Hiemstra.

Friends will be received 5-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Groff Funeral Home, 1 S. Main St., Milan, where funeral services will be at noon Tuesday, Nov. 29. The Rev. Douglas Lang of New London Christian Alliance Church will officiate. Burial will take place in Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be made to the Timothy Hiemstra Memorial Scholarship fund at Citizens Bank (awarded to a Sandusky St. Mary graduate annually) in her honor.

Condolences may be shared with the family at grofffuneralhomes.com.