Betty Sleeman-Nault
Betty Sleeman-Nault
NEGAUNEE, MI – Betty Jean Sleeman-Nault, 88, of Negaunee, passed into the loving arms of our savior Jesus Christ, on Tuesday afternoon, May 10th, 2022. She was surrounded by her loving family, young and old. We believe she heard every voice, saw every tear and rejoiced in the moments of conversation and laughter.
Betty was born September 1st, 1933, in Marquette, to Randolph and Agnes (Dorman) Peterson. She married the love of her life, John Russell ‘Jack’ Sleeman, in 1950. After many years of marriage, she tenderly cared for him at home the last 8 years of his life as he suffered from MS. After Jack’s passing, Betty found comfort in her faith and was an active member of St. Paul church, where she served as a lay minister and sang in the choir.
Betty was a mom, our Mom. A mom who dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, her friend’s children, the neighborhood children, and even children she had never met through her charitable donations. When you were with her you felt her unconditional love. She was a wonderful cook and homemaker, every day providing her family with delicious meals and a clean, organized and well managed household.
Surviving are her three daughters: Linda (Craig) Hawkins of Howell, MI, Vickie (Jeff) Baldini of Ishpeming, the late Karen (Richard) Karki of Negaunee, and Cindy (Jay) Chapman of Ishpeming; ten grandchildren: Laura (Marty ) Ness, Craig (Nicole) Hawkins, Jesse (Eryn) Baldini, Bill Baldini, Michelle (David) Trawick, Richard (April) Karki, Jr., Adam (Leah) Karki, Jenifer (Dan Willett) Chapman, Scott (Kelly) Chapman and Janine (Dylan) Jurasin; 23 great-grandchildren; her brother, Phillip (Barb) Peterson; sister-in-law, Carol Peterson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, John ‘Jack’ Sleeman, Sr. in 1983; her daughter, Karen Karki in 2021; son, John Sleeman, Jr. in 2008; brothers: Ken, Richard and Randy Peterson; sisters, Shirley Bessix and Janet Peterson; and a great-grandson, Max Baldini.
Later in life she was remarried to Theodore ‘Ted’ Nault, who also precedes her death. We send our condolences to his children and grandchildren who were dear to her as well.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon, on Saturday, May 14th, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 AM, until the start of Mass at Noon at the church on Saturday, and also at a luncheon immediately following services in the St. Paul School Gymnasium. Pallbearers will be Betty’s grandsons: Craig Hawkins, Jesse Baldini, Bill Baldini, Rich Karki, Adam Karki and Scott Chapman.
Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery at 10:00 AM, on Tuesday, May 17th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Betty’s memory to a children’s charity of your choice.