Betty Jane Engelhardt

Betty Jean Engelhardt of Sebewaing, age 93, passed away on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at New Hope Bay. She was born on July 22, 1933, the daughter of Hilda (Spomer) Satow and Irwin Satow. She and brother Charles were raised in Sebewaing, where her parents Irwin and Hilda started and ran a successful furniture business called Satow’s Home of Fine Furnishings. Upon graduating as Valedictorian from Sebewaing High School, Betty completed business school in Bay City.

She married Richard Mason Jr. in 1953 and together, in 1967, they started a business in Sebewaing called Mason Music. Eventually they took over Satow’s Furniture and merged Mason Music into the facility on Main Street. In 1973, Richard (age 44) passed away. Betty became a successful sole owner of the business while raising 3 daughters. In 1975 she met and married Roy H. Engelhardt. During his 40-year tenure with Michigan Sugar, Roy also worked part-time with Betty at Satow’s Furniture. Betty and Roy were active community members, participating in the Lions and Rotary Clubs, VFW and Immanuel Lutheran Church. Betty was the first business-woman to be awarded the distinguished Paul Harris Award from the Rotary Club, and also served as Grand Marshall for the Sebewaing Sugar Festival. Throughout her life Betty had a passion for the Arts and Music. She enjoyed Theatre, playing her trombone in the community band and church orchestra, and singing in the choir.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Roy, Aug. 27, 2019 and her brother, Charles, Nov. 6, 2025. She is survived by daughters, Sharon Mason, Kathy Mason, Sally Comer and step-daughter, Bev (Jeff) Tietz; grandchildren, Kyle (Courtney) Comer, Zachary (Kristen) Comer, Jeremy (Priscilla) Tietz, Joshua (Tara) Tietz, and Lacey Tietz; along with fourteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Betty’s funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at the Ransford Funeral Home in Sebewaing. Elder Tony Rainey will officiate with the burial following at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Sebewaing. The family will be present to receive visitors on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of her service.