Alice Sartin LaDuke

Alice (Billye) Sartin LaDuke lived a full and happy life. Her native intelligence, strength and resilience sustained her through her 94+ years.
Born in Springdale, Arkansas in 1928, she was the last survivor of a family of eleven.
She moved to Lansing, Michigan after WWII and found a job at the local Walgreens where she met the man who changed her life, Bernie LaDuke. They fell in love, married in 1946, and moved into their first home, a remodeled garage, where they lived and raised their two children until the late 60s. During this time, she pinched pennies, cooked, sewed and raised their children, along with a few others. She was ambitious, energetic and imaginative, and Bernie adored her. She was always looking for new opportunities. In the 50s, it was constructing and operating a Tastee Freeze on land adjacent to their home. Afterward, she completed beauty school and Bernie added a shop to their home. She operated Billye’s Beauty Shop in Maple Grove until they decided to build in Potterville in the late 60s.
Together, they built their dream home on 10 acres on M100. Billye was next to Bernie all the way – hammering studs, hanging drywall and shingling the roof. They worked all day and after dinner went to work on the new house. They moved in 1968 and lived there happily until Bernie’s death in 2007. Billye continued to carry on until 2019 when declining health made it too difficult to remain.
They made a lifetime of memories and gave their children, Donna and Bernie Jr., unconditional love, support and wonderful childhoods. They grew up healthy, happy and productive adults, likely unaware how lucky they were to have parents who loved them and adored one another. The greatest gift a child can receive is a stable and loving home and Donna and Beanie had one.
Over the years, Billye ran the home while working various jobs including bank teller, pocket protector manufacturer, cosmetologist, artist and woodworker.
She and Bernie were true partners for over 61 years. After his retirement from Oldsmobile, they started a crafts business and worked together creating, constructing and decorating everything from ornaments to furniture. They were always happiest when busy and working together toward a shared goal. Over these years they also managed to take dance lessons, join square dance clubs, entertain at home and travel the US with a small house trailer or a camper on their pickup truck.
Bernie retired early and with both kids grown, they enjoyed almost 30 years together post retirement. After his death, she became an active member of the Eaton County Senior Center where she enjoyed playing Euchre and Cribbage.
In 2019, Billye moved to Tulsa to live near her daughter, independently, in a wonderful senior community where she once again reinvented herself. Leaving their home of 40 years was not easy, but she adapted to apartment living at Cedarhurst, loving the staff and surviving COVID and lockdowns.
She and Donna were always exceptionally close, but grew even more devoted through her remaining years. Bernie Jr. and his wife, Seidy, were tragically killed in a landslide in 2020 and Billye passed on May 6, 2023 in her Tulsa home.
Billye will be remembered for her great sense of humor, kind spirit, friendship and devotion to her family. Her life was full and long, she was much loved and will be missed.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna; three granddaughters: Star, Alicia and Blythe; five grandchildren and one great granddaughter; along with Maisie Jane, the best dog ever and much loved by her Granny. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and is especially grateful for the love and support of Dale and Diane LaDuke who were always there for her, always.
At her request, there will be no service, but she will once again be next to Bernie in mid-Michigan later this summer.