Betty J. Pardon

Betty Joan Pardon, 88, of Escanaba, passed away peacefully at Cedar Hill Assisted Living on Saturday, February 1, 2020.  The daughter of the late Walter and Selma (Swanson) Larson, Betty was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan on October 1, 1931.  She graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1949. She moved to St. Paul, MN and later, Flint, MI, doing clerical and bookkeeping work.

On August 24, 1953, Betty married Richard Pardon of Norway, MI, who then served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Betty joined him in Germany until he was discharged in 1956.  After returning to the States, Betty and Richard moved to Milwaukee, WI where they worked and Richard finished college.   

In 1959, Richard and Betty moved to Escanaba, MI.  Betty began working for Groos Auto Parts as a bookkeeper. She and Richard owned a machine shop, Pardon, Incorporated for many years. Betty continued to work at Groos Auto Parts until her retirement in 1981. 

A devoted wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma, Betty also enjoyed playing bridge and bowling. She loved spending time in the summer at their cottage on Hamilton Lake and in the fall at their hunting camp. Betty was a longtime member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba and later First Lutheran Church in Gladstone.  She was happiest when taking care of her flowers at home and at their cottage, and visiting with friends and family. Betty was preceded in death by Richard, her husband of nearly 60 years, in 2013.

She is survived by one daughter, Lisa (John) Thomas of Gladstone; one son, James (Darla) Pardon of Gladstone; grandchildren, Michelle (Brian) Oswald of Richland, MI, Kevin (Tara) Pardon of Denver, CO, Paul (Torri) Thomas of Dubuque, IA, Scott Pardon of Sparta, TN, and Troy Pardon of Gladstone; sister, Donna Ohlsen of Iron Mountain; brother-in-law, Melvin Pordon of Lakewood, WI; sisters-in-law, Rena Altobelli of Escanaba, and Pat Pardon of Hartford, WI; great- grandchildren, Annelise and Lucas Oswald; and many nieces and nephews.   

In addition to her husband and parents, Betty was also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Harvey Ohlsen, Ernest Pardon, and John Altobelli; sister-in-law, Jean Pordon; and nephew, Ramon Altobelli.

Betty’s family wishes to thank the staff at Cedar Hill Assisted Living, U.P. Home Health and Hospice, and Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Senior Services (Meals on Wheels) for the exceptional care she received.  She was treated like family and we could not be more grateful.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (EST), Saturday, February 8, 2020 at First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of Betty Pardon will begin at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Tom Otis officiating. A luncheon will be served at the conclusion of the services in the First Lutheran Fellowship Hall. Burial will take place in the Norway Township Cemetery. 

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