Betty Ruth Kellan Durant
MARQUETTE, MI – Betty Ruth Kellan Durant, passed away at 103 years old on August 14, 2023, under the outstanding care of the staff at Marquette County Medical Care Facility, Ishpeming, Michigan. They are truly angels the way they care for the residents and their families.
Betty was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 13, 1920, to Milton Sr and Ruth Stemler Kellan. She did her part in supporting the 2nd World War effort by working at N. A. Woodworth Company in Detroit (a company that plated aircraft engine parts); she was also Treasurer of the Independent Aircraft Workers. She married, Robert Frank Durant, and had a son, Reggie. She worked for many years in Southfield, Michigan for Allstate Insurance after her divorce. During that time, she was an avid bowler in the Detroit area, enjoying playing with her sister, Eleanor.
Betty and Reg moved to Marquette so he could go to Northern Michigan University and to be near her parents and siblings, Louise Kellan Gudegast (Henry), Eleanor Kellan Keranen (Micky) and Milton “Bud” Kellan Jr., all deceased. Bud and Eleanor bought the Terrace Motel and Queen City Motel (now the Cedar Motor Inn) and she worked for them as desk clerk (and later Reg, Lyn and Kristin) for over 25 years.
She is survived by her son, Reggie (Lyn), granddaughter Kristin Bray (Brandon) and great-grandsons Oliver and Owen Bray.
She thoroughly enjoyed traveling to golf with her Marquette friends and had bunches of swizzle sticks from courses all over the country as mementos. She also followed the Detroit Tigers religiously throughout her lifetime. She could rattle off yearly statistics of the players’ batting scores, how much money they made, how many kids they had and who they were traded to. She also had a great affection for all of Reg’s dogs over the years, and was so happy when she could see them.
Just prior to her retirement from the hotel at 80 years old, Betty asked her daughter-in-law, Lyn, to go to Hawaii with her, they had a wonderful time and shared great memories of Maui. Her great-grandchildren, Oliver and Owen, were the light of her life. She truly enjoyed their visits even later when they came to see her at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility.
The recent assistance provided by Lake Superior Hospice was much appreciated by everyone and final arrangements are being made by Fassbender/Swanson/ Hansen Funeral Home. Per Betty’s wishes, the family will have a private ceremony.
Memorials may be directed to UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter), 815 S. M-553, Gwinn, MI 49841.
Condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.