Betty L. Thompson

On March 10, 2020, as morning dawned, Betty Louise Hasseler Thompson, age 95 years, joined her family in the great beyond. Betty was born in Detroit, MI to Roy and Adabelle(Powers) Hasseler on June 13, 1924. She grew up in Detroit, attended Northwestern High School. In 1945 she moved to California with the Roy Browns and opened the Horse and Rider Trading Post in North Hollywood, CA. She met William Fredrick Thompson, Jr. who was a customer at the store and a fellow horseman. After a short engagement they were married October 25, 1946. By 1947 they had moved to San Antonio, Texas where they had two children: Judy Ann and William Roy. Then in 1953 they returned to Betty’s home state, Michigan. A small farm in Belleville area was her home until her husband retired when they moved north to Lincoln, MI. Betty lived with her son and his wife, Bill and Billie, for the past nine years in Harrisville, MI. William F. Thompson preceded her in 1995. Her parents and her sister, Lois Ann “Dusty” Bolton have also passed away. Betty is survived by daughter, Judy Ann Sheldon (Charles) of Greenbush, MI, son William “Bill” Roy Thompson (Billie June) of Harrisville, MI, granddaughter Lauren Ashlee Altenbernt, step grandsons Thomas and Robert Thomson and nephew Thomas Roy Bolton. Betty was a city girl who took to country life like it was all she had known. Her Dad taught her to hunt and fish. She loved to garden, raise chickens and a multitude of other farm animals. She was a 4-H leader and a Master Gardener. A gifted crafter, she was a regular for years at the Harrisville Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show. At 75 she joined her family in speed walking. There wasn’t much she wouldn’t try! She was a fierce supporter of her family, loved her kids, but administered a swift kick in the pants when needed. She was known in the family as the “Old Cat.” A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer for all her friends. Cremation arrangements were made through Gillies Funeral Home, Lincoln. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty L. Thompson, please visit our flower store.