Betty Joyce Hempenius

Betty Joyce Hempenius (Nee Kruk) passed away on November 16, 2025, at Franciscan Hospital in Crown Point, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in December 1940 in Wheatfield, Indiana and graduated from Tolleston High School, Gary, IN, in 1958. She resided in Crown Point for the past thirty years and was formerly from Chesterton. She married Cecil Hempenius in 1960 and together had three children. They recently celebrated 65 years of marriage together in October. After raising their children, she pursued her Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees from Purdue University in Supervisor and Organizational Leadership in 1985. She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Cecil Hempenius; her father and mother, Tony and Lois Kruk; her sister, Ruth Ann McNally; and parent in laws, Arthur & Liz Hempenius. Betty is survived by her husband, Cecil of Crown Point and two children: Kim (Jeff) Stanley of Sioux City, IA, and Kelly Hempenius of Schererville, IN. She was a proud grandmother of four grandchildren: Michael Stanley of Allentown, PA, Meghan (Adam) Klein of Eagan, MN, Kimberly Wojciehowski of Schererville, and Joseph Wojciehowski of Schererville. She was an adoring great-grandmother of three great grandchildren, Quinn Stanley, Elizabeth Stanley, and Christopher (CJ) Klein. She is also survived by her cherished brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Carla Kruk of Scottsdale. AZ. Betty lived a blessed life, complete with lots of joys and a few challenges. She was happiest around family and friends, and enjoyed traveling, camping, entertaining, reading, cooking, and baking. She was a lifelong and veracious learner and built a successful career while raising her family. She served as a long-term secretary at St. Johns UNITED Church in Chesterton, Personnel Director at Purdue University North Central in Westville, business, and accounting professor at Ivy Tech Community College’s Valparaiso campus, and owned two businesses, which were a lifelong dream of hers. Though our family is heartbroken by her passing, we find peace knowing she is reunited with those who went before her—free from pain and watching over all of us with pride and love. She was loved very much and will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be on August 8, 2026, at 2pm at Church of the Four Seasons, 9100 E. 109th Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307 for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice, in her memory, would be appreciated. Burns Funeral Home, Crown Point entrusted with arrangements. www.burnsfuneral.com

Betty Joyce Hempenius

December 10, 1940 - November 16, 2025