Betty Jean Schuitema

Betty Jean Schuitema (Kamper) went to be with the Lord on November 6, 2023, while her daughter held her hand.

Betty Jean was born on September 27, 1943 to Arnie and Jennie Kamper, and older sister Lillian. Betty Jean attended Sumas Christian and Lynden Christian schools and graduated in 1961. She married in 1963 and several years later gave birth to her daughter Gayleen, while living in Lynden. In the 1970s Betty graduated from Bellingham Beauty School and worked at the Head Shed as a cosmetologist. Later she worked at Hair Illusions, and then had her own ‘Garden Salon’ in Bellingham.

Betty married Gordon Schuitema on July 5, 1977 and they settled in the Columbia neighborhood of Bellingham. Betty loved her life with Gordon. Her favorite times included their motorcycle trips, including a long-distance adventure to Michigan, and time on their boat ‘Serendipity’ in the San Juan Islands. Betty loved her daughter Gayleen very much, and especially enjoyed cooking for her and laughing together. Betty also dearly loved her son-in-law Shawn Ronk, her sister Lillian (Gene) VanBeek and family, her extended step-family including Cheryl (Paul) VanDyken, Randy (Susan) Schuitema, Cindy Schuitema, and their families, as well as her church family, her friends, clients, and neighbors, and Schuitema family in Michigan. Betty’s deepest loss occurred when Gordon passed away on February 17, 2005. With joy she looked forward to time together in Heaven.

Memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Thursday, November 16 at Cornwall Church in Bellingham, followed by a reception. Graveside service will occur prior at 2 pm on Thursday, November 16 at Greenacres Memorial Cemetery.