Elizabeth “Betty” Louise (Brennan) Nessel

Elizabeth “Betty” Louise (Brennan) Nessel, 87, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on June 21, 2023, at Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan, Michigan.

Betty was born on February 8, 1936, to John “Bun” and Catherine Eileen (Farmer) Brennan at their home in rural East Jordan. She was born on a cold winter night and was so small she was placed in a shoebox in the oven to keep warm!

Betty lived her entire life in East Jordan and graduated from East Jordan High School. While working in a hospital in Gaylord, she met Anthony “Tony” Nessel and they fell in love. Betty married Tony on May 17, 1958, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was a loyal member of the church and also part of the Ladies Altar Society. Betty enjoyed spending time with her friends through the Red Hat Ladies group.

Family was Betty’s passion. She was the only daughter of the Brennan clan and despite being one of the youngest, she kept her six brothers in line! Betty and Tony raised their family in East Jordan and enjoyed many outings and local adventures including picnicking and swimming at Lake Charlevoix, picking blackberries in the nearby fields, riding bikes in the summer and snowmobiles in the winter around town, and enjoying frequent family barbeque dinners. Betty was an avid reader and a good friend to many.

She is survived by her husband, Tony Nessel of East Jordan; five children, Charles (Suzanne Kranicz) Nessel of Scottsdale, Arizona, Dennis (Diane) Nessel of Onaway, Catherine (Tom) Crumbaugh of Boyne City, Christopher (Eileen) Nessel of Boulder, Colorado, and Patricia (Tom) Looze of Boyne City; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and one brother, James (Janet) Brennan of Battle Creek. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, East Jordan. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Penzien Funeral Homes, Inc., East Jordan. A rosary service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grandvue Medical Care Facility, East Jordan.

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