Nov. 11, 2024

Ferris State University remembers Bette Hartig as a cherished member of the campus and community

Ferris State University is mourning the passing of Bette Hartig, a proud alumna and employee who has been part of the university family for more than 60 years.

Hartig, 97, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 9 in Big Rapids. She was a fixture at Ferris State football games for decades and also active in the Big Rapids artistic community, sharing her love of working with wood.

Hartig was honored in October as grand marshal of Ferris State’s 2024 Homecoming celebration, riding in the parade through downtown Big Rapids, saluted at halftime of the football game, and was enthusiastically received at the evening’s volleyball match, posing for photos with the team.

 “I have always been happy in Big Rapids, returning after some time as a secondary school teacher in Port Huron,” Hartig said earlier this fall as she was honored by the university. “Through most of my career to now, I remain close to Ferris and the campus.”

Born in Alma, Hartig studied at Ferris State College in the 1960s and taught high school physical education classes before returning to Big Rapids and Ferris State as an employee in 1970.

She served two years as a “house mother,” followed by two years assisting the director of housing.  before coordinating student activities and taking on the role of director in the Rankin Student Center, the precursor to what is now the David L. Eisler Center on the Big Rapids campus.

Hartig continued to stay involved with the university after retiring, cheering on the football team from seats at the 50-yard line for decades. 

She enjoyed being around the bustling campus and meeting students – and leaders. Hartig said she got to know 14 of the university’s 19 presidents.

“I think part of the reason I liked it is because it involved students, and I like kids,” Hartig told 9&10 News in October.

When she was not cheering on the Bulldogs, Hartig was working on her hobby, carving wood in her basement studio.

She did not get involved with the artistic community until about 20 years ago, when she was inspired by attending an event in Evart with hundreds of woodcarvers.

“I met a middle school teacher from Big Rapids who was carving there, and she got me interested," Hartig told The Pioneer in 2020. "The rest is history. She and I started the Woodwackers Carving Club in Big Rapids, which still exists today.”

She became an active volunteer at Artworks, a Big Rapids creative community, and was honored by the organization in 2020.

 Hartig published her memoir, “Yours Truly: A Michigan Life,” through Sooner Started Press in November 2023. The 158-page book is available on Amazon.