Betty Elaine (Bigalke) Popa, just shy of her 93rd birthday, passed away peacefully to meet her Lord and Savior, while in hospice care at Green Acres on August 22, 2022, her dear sister, Sandy, at her side.

Betty was born on September 2, 1929 in Muskegon, MI, daughter of the late Harry and Blanche (Kolanowski) Bigalke. Betty was the oldest of seven children.  Her family moved to Manistee, when Betty was 10 where she attended Filer City School through 8th grade and then St Joseph High School graduating in 1948. In her late teens and early twenties, Betty worked at Mercy Hospital and then American Box Board.  Receiving a call from her uncle, she went to work at a car factory in Flint to help support the family due to the death of both of her parents.  Betty along with the help of 3 siblings, Bob, Jim and Barb, helped raise the youngest two, Sandy and Tom.  Betty eventually attended Muskegon School of Beauty.  She returned to Manistee joining her sister Barbara at her established beauty shop on River Street.

Betty met and married the love of her life, John Popa in 1964.   They were absolutely devoted to each other, enjoying family, friends, church, and many trips and cruises.   They were lifelong members of the Catholic Community of Manistee. In her later years, when Betty was not visiting John at the cemetery, or attending church, she enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino, and would often be found watching her favorite Catholic Channel programs.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John and siblings:  Robert and James Bigalke, Barbara (Stanley) Hendricks and infant brother, as well as sister-in-law Agnes Bigalke, sister-in-law, Sylvia and brother-in-law Raymond Babuska, and nephew Michael Bigalke.

Betty is survived by her sister Sandy (Ed) Mazeika, Thomas (Barbara) Bigalke, sisters-in-law Lois Bigalke and Delores Bigalke.  Betty is survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Betty was especially grateful for the support of nephew, Phil Babuska and niece, Patricia Stark.

When John passed in May of 2016, Betty was heartbroken and spent every day, missing him, praying to be allowed to join him.  She was granted that wish and now is at peace in the loving arms of her beloved John.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 12:00 noon at Divine Mercy Parish (St. Joseph Catholic Church) in Manistee with Reverend Zeljko Guberovic celebrant. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery also in Manistee. The family will welcome friends at the church on Thursday morning, one hour prior to the funeral mass where a Rosary will be said at 11:40 AM.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to either Hospice of Michigan or the Bell Tower fund at Divine Mercy Parish.  Envelopes will be available at the church.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.