Stanwood – Betty J. (LaPreze) Oliver, 76, of Stanwood, passed away Tuesday, February 12, at Altercare of Big Rapids.

She was born June 7, 1931, in Stanwood, the daughter of Albert and Alma (Ulrich) Arndt.  Betty graduated as the Valedictorian for the Big Rapids High School Class of 1949.

For several years, Betty worked at the Stanwood Bank & Trust, and served for a short time as Magistrate for the Mecosta County District Court.  She then worked in the office at Morley-Stanwood Junior-Senior High School for a number of years.

Betty was a long-time member of the Northland United Methodist Church in Stanwood.

On July 7, 1951, she married Carl K. LaPreze, who preceded her in death in 1987.  On April 17, 1999, she married Owen D. Oliver, who survives.  Also surviving are 1 son, Randy (Stacey) LaPreze of Stanwood; 1 daughter, Lori Villa of Wyoming; 7 grandchildren, Clint, Allison, Landrie, and Sydnie LaPreze, and Robby, Kurtis, and Joshua Villa; 1 great-grandson Isiah; 1 sister, Ruth (Thane) Stout of Stanwood; stepchildren Gordon (Carol) Oliver of Big Rapids, Dean (Mary) Oliver of Oregon, and Julie (Wes) Dixon of South Boardman; step-grandchildren Brad, Jackie, Owen, and Amanda Oliver, a step-great-grandson Seth; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 16, 2008, at the Northland United Methodist Church in Stanwood, with Rev. Dominic Tommy officiating.  Burial will follow in the Stanwood Cemetery.  Memorial contributions for Betty’s church may be left at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids, where her family will greet friends on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and at the church prior to services on Saturday.

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