Betty Anema
In this last season of Betty’s life, she is remembered by those who visited and worked with her as optimistic, bubbly, and funny, despite her memory losses.
Betty Cornelia (Spee) Anema, 84, of Denver, Colorado crossed into heaven on May 13, 2025. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1941 to Fanny (Worst) and Adrian Spee. As the last of seven, she was the first Spee child born in a Hospital (Butterworth). She grew up on 40 acres with plenty of places to play and roam. Her home and church were in Kelloggsville Home Acres. Her mother and sisters were loving examples — especially Eleanor, her best friend throughout school, who shared a ‘55 Plymouth Coup with her, served as her maid of honor, and remained a close friend beyond. As children, she admitted that she always played teacher and made Eleanor play the pupil.
She attended Kelloggsville Christian School through South Christian High before pursuing an Education degree at Calvin College and then moved to teach physical education at Denver Christian High School. She wrote, “I always wanted to travel, go to college, and be a teacher. I fulfilled all of them.”
Betty met the love of her life, George Allen Anema in 1962. She wrote “We attended the same church (First CRC of Denver) and both sang in the choir. We had our first date in December and married a year later at Kelloggsville Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids Michigan, on December 27, 1963. Your father is very kind and loving. I often think if we didn’t get married, there wouldn’t have been any of you and I cannot imagine you all not being part of my life.”
Alisa (David Engelhard), George Jay “GJ” (Melissa), and Chad Allen (Amber) made her very proud, especially on their wedding days and as they presented their children to the Lord. Mom said “Our most important traditions were going to church and Sunday school. Christmas was important to the Anema Grandparents and so to us, as well as birthdays.”
She was fond of Dutch food, delft, and sharing memories from her childhood in Michigan. She loved bookkeeping, volunteering, hosting, and giggling at her own jokes and at being called “Bargain Betty.” More important names to her were “Grandma Betty” and “Nana.” She loved her grandkids: Caleb, Gideon, & Naomi Engelhard, Earl, Jonah (Maddie Barr), & Spencer Anema, Reagan (David) Hull, Ashleigh, & Jackson Anema; and great-grandchildren Coleman and Audrey Hull.
Betty enjoyed being with family and friends. She loved Denver Christian Schools and First CRC of Denver, as well as the people she served and those she served alongside in these places. They had different styles of hospitality, George led the outdoor fun while Betty planned the indoor fun. They had enjoyable years at Indian Mountain, camping and touring 49 of 50 United States. Together George and Betty were blessed as owners of Rocky Mountain Paint Company from 1971 to 1994.
Betty Anema was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents, brothers Karl (Ricarda), George (Jean), Albert (Ruth), Paul Kremers, Barb and Jason Camp, and her sister Eleanor Boersema. She is survived by Ruth (Herman) Stukkie, Marian Kremers, Larry Boersema, and in-laws Jane (Dale) Zoetewey, Robert Camp, Linda (James) Veldkamp and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned on May 23 at 1:30 pm at First Christian Reformed Church of Denver, 1814 S. Emerson St. Denver CO 80210. In lieu of flowers, we appreciate donations to this church or Denver Christian Schools, 3898 S. Teller St. Lakewood CO 80235.