Betty Fresh
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Betty M. Fresh, 97, was born July 30,1923 to Edwin and Edna Beem in Chariton, Iowa. The family later moved to the Chicago area where Betty graduated from Proviso High School in 1941. There she met her husband, James H. Fresh, in his last year at the Lutheran Seminary. Jim and Betty married and had three children in the Chicago area Dave,Doug,and Sue. In 1956 the family moved to Galion, Ohio. A Florida vacation in 1966 turned into a calling from above for Pastor Jim to become the first called pastor to a six month old Lutheran Congregation in Dunedin, Fl. Betty was the perfect pastor's wife being at Pastor Jim's side developing St.Mark Lutheran Church, St. Mark Christian School, and finally St. Mark Village Retirement Community. As co-founders, Jim and Betty worked to create a home where residents could live together in harmony with the staff that love and serve them. Today St. Mark Village is home to over 550 seniors in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing care being cared for by over 300 staff members. In May of 2014 a special 20 bed nursing wing was redesigned and named the Betty Fresh Rehabilitation Center where patients can come after their hospital stay and receive rehab and special care in a Christian environment. Betty and Jim moved into St.Mark Village on Valentines Day in 1998 and were able to appreciate their hard work of years past. Jim passed away in March of 2004 and Betty carried the torch of our Matriarch until she took her last breath on Thursday May 27. Betty is survived by her three children, nine grandchildren, and a multitude of great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations to the St. Mark Village Continuing Care Fund would be appreciated to help meet the needs of residents that have run out of money.