Betty Mae Theut

Betty Mae Theut, 89, formerly of St. Ignace, died in Scottsdale, Arizona March 7, 2018. She was born in Newberry April 24, 1928, to Gustav Gladys (nee Quinlan) and Larson, and was graduated from Newberry High School. In 1950 she was graduated cum laude as a registered nurse from St. Joseph School of Nursing in Detroit and later served there as an instructor. She remained close with her nursing school friends all her life. While in Detroit, she met George "Jack" Theut and they married October 11, 1952, in Newberry. The Theuts lived in Warren, Sault Ste. Marie, and Rudyard before settling in St. Ignace when Mr. Theut was elected judge of probate for Mackinac County. Mrs. Theut took a special interest in elderly friends, checking on their well-being and care and sending food. She and friends also started Crisis Pregnancy, a group that aids mothers and their babies. She was treasurer of the St. Ignace Right to Life for many years and was secretary of the Community Mental Health board. A member of St. Ignatius Loyola Church, she was active in the Ste. Anne Altar Society, sang in the funeral choir, and taught religion to sixth graders for 22 years. Her home life centered on the family and faith, her children recall, and their house on Church Street was a wonderful place filled with piano music and songs, laughter, cookie baking, and story telling. It was a buzz of activity after church on Sunday, when friends would stop by to visit and eat. She nursed seven kids through mumps, measles, chicken pox, celebrated 21 graduations, and delighted in caring for her grandchildren. She loved St. Ignace and its people, and missed her home and friends when she moved to Arizona. Mrs. Theut is survived by seven children and their families, Mark Theut of Scottsdale, Susan Theut of Washington, D.C., Annette and Keith Whitman of Escanaba, Paul and Maria Theut of Phoenix, Chris and Kelly Theut of Phoenix, David and Renee Theut of Escanaba, and Brian and Diana Theut of Scottsdale. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren: Allison Bailey; Christian, Jack, and Michael Whitman; James, Michael, Elizabeth, Patrick, and Matthew Theut; Nicholas, Lindsey, Daniel, and Conrad Theut; Olivia, Hugh, and Madelyn Theut; Kathryn and Joseph Herrera-Theut. In addition to her husband, Jack, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Andrew Whitman, and her only sibling, Gustav Q. Larson of Newberry. Visitation will be Tuesday, May 29, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in St. Ignace. Mass of Christian Burial at be at 11 a.m. with Fr. Norbert Landerville officiating. Internment will follow at St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Ignace Right to Life or the St. Ignace Food Pantry. Dodson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Tributes

Betty Mae Theut

March 7, 2018