BETTE J. (RAKESTRAW) VAN HAVERBEKE

April 12, 1921 - Feb. 21, 2012
MISHAWAKA - Bette J. Van Haverbeke, 90, passed away at home on Tuesday, February 21, 2012. Bette was born on April 12, 1921 in St. Joseph Hospital in South Bend, IN to David A. and Florence E. (Jackson) Rakestraw. She was an only child. Both of her parents preceded her in death.

On the beautiful spring morning of April 11, 1953 in First Methodist Church, South Bend she married Roy Van Haverbeke. He preceded her in death on September 20, 2006.

She attended the old Coquillard School on Notre Dame Ave at Colfax. In the third grade the kids were all moved to the new Thomas Jefferson School on Eddy Street. She then graduated from South Bend Central High School in January 1940.

In 1945 she started to work for Dr. A. W. Hellenberg, DDS. She was there for 25 years. At his retirement she volunteered as a "Pink Lady" for 13 years at St. Joseph Hospital, Mishawaka. After her husband Roy retired in 1986 they for the next 19 years spent winters in Ocean Breeze Park, Jensen Beach, FL and a few weeks each summer at Deer Grove Resort, Hayward, WI fishing. Bette always said that she had a wonderful life and a very good husband.

She wanted to extend a special message to Nancy, "Sarge", Gloria, Harriet and Donna, "Thank you for being you..." Love you, Bette.

Visitation will be on Friday, February 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. in Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka. Funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, February 25 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Bob Vale officiating. Entombment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. Memorial contributions can be made to The Center for Hospice Care, Hospice Foundation, 4220 Edison Lakes Parkway, Suite 210, Mishawaka, IN 46545. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune from Feb. 23 to Feb. 24, 2012

01/31/2023 EJS