Elizabeth "Betty Anne" (Bowers) Geib

Our beloved mother, nanna, grammy, and friend passed away peacefully at Woodside (Friendship Village) surrounded by family on Sunday morning, June 19, 2022. Betty Anne was born on February 25, 1930, to Woods and Mary Ella Bowers in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

From a young age, Betty Anne found joy in caring for others, so it is fitting she pursued a career as a social worker. She received her undergraduate degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and her graduate degree from Washington University-St. Louis.

On June 22, 1957, she married the Rev. Eric Geib, and they shared 47 years together, raising their family and making a difference in the lives of others through service. He preceded her in death in 2005.

Betty Anne worked for decades as a social worker in school systems, then later as an adoption placement social worker, forever changing the lives of hundreds of children and families.

Aside from her personal and professional life, she was generous with her time and was quick to deliver a meal to someone in need, send a card with well wishes, or call to lend an ear and words of encouragement. She volunteered at the churches at which her husband was a rector, along with community organizations including St. Luke's Thrift Shop, Hospice of Southwest Michigan, and her garden club. Betty Anne was also active in the civil rights movement, as she believed in equality for all.

While her family was her priority, she was also passionate about protecting the environment. She spent hours in her garden and made sure her bird feeders and bird baths were always filled. After moving to Friendship Village, she enjoyed exploring the gardens, looking at the spring flowers in bloom, and watching the birds outside her window.

Betty Anne lived a full life which included her many hobbies of reading, playing bridge and Rumikub (especially with her daughter Sandra Jean and son-in-law Dan nightly during the pandemic), cheering on the Chicago Cubs, attending the theater, eating her favorite foods, and spending time with others.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother Robert Bowers. She is survived by her children, Mark (Esther) Geib of Portage, Sandra Jean (Daniel) Evans of Durham, NC, David (Jerri Lynn) Geib of Lawton, and Carl (Amy) Geib of Kalamazoo; her grandchildren, Stephen (Maribel) Geib, Kayla (Jeremy) Evers, Anthony Evans, Maria (Justin) Winn, Jaelyn Geib, Thomas Geib, Cooper Geib, Ellie Geib, and Christopher Geib; her great grandchildren, Alia Evans, Taylor Winn, and Liam Dunning, and several nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

Betty Anne fought hard until the end and inspired us with her courage. She will be dearly and deeply missed but never forgotten as we cherish so many fond memories of our times with her.

Please join us for a celebration of her life at a service on Friday, July 1 at 12 pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 929 E. Centre, Portage. A time of fellowship will follow the service. A private family interment will be held later in the afternoon.

In honor of Betty Anne's love of nature, we invite you to incorporate flowers, birds, butterflies, or other symbols of nature in your attire (ie: clothes, necklace, earrings, tie, etc.). Those wishing to make lasting gifts in memory of Betty Anne Geib can do so at The Nature Conservancy and Parkinson's Foundation. To view Betty Anne's personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com