Bettie Marie Markwart, daughter of John R. (1903-1993) and Florence Beatrice (Tyler) (1909-1992) Markwart, was born 23 August 1927, Mason, Ingham County, Michigan.  Bettie graduated in 1945 from Okemos High School.  She married high school classmate Basil Charles Piper 16 May 1947 in Okemos, Ingham County, Michigan.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 22 May 1947

ANNOUNCE MARRIAGE OF OKEMOS COUPLE

Okemos, May 22 - Two Okemos young people, Miss Bettie Markwart and Basil Piper, were united in marriage at a lovely evening ceremony performed by Rev. Harold Jayne at the Okemos Community church May 16.

The vows were spoken at the altar, flanked with baskets of white gladioli and snapdragons, palms and white tapers.  Traditional wedding music was played by Miss Jean Fogle and Miss Lina Tenny sang preceding the ceremony and at the conclusion of the vows.  The bride chose as her maid of honor her cousin, Miss Catherine DeLau, and as bridesmaids, Mrs. Thomas Griffith, Mrs. Gerald Moore and Miss Maurine Page.  The bridegroom's attendant was Robert Randall, with Duane Everett, Robert Markwart and William Long as ushers.

A reception in the parlors followed the service with nearly 300 guests being received.  Refreshments were served from a table centered with a tiered wedding cake served by Miss Vivian Redner, punch by Miss Joyce Stillman; Mrs. N. Fleming was hostess in the dining room, assisted by Miss Phyllis Piper and Miss Dorothy Delamarter.

Mr. and Mrs. Piper will reside in Okemos.  Both are employed at Michigan State college and are graduates of Okemos high school.

The bride is the daughter of the John Markwarts and her husband the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Piper.

Bettie and Basil were married over 50 years before she died 21 June 1999.  Basil, born 24 December 1926, died 14 February 2012.  Basil and Bettie were interred East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 23 June 1999

PIPER, BETTIE M.

DIMONDALE

Born August 23, 1927, and raised in Okemos; died June 21, 1999, at the age of 71.  Mrs. Piper enjoyed bowling and bowled on 2 different leagues.  Surviving are her husband, Basil; 1 daughter, Sue (Randy) Fisher and 1 son, Edward Piper, both of Lansing; 6 grandchildren, Patrick, Kevin, Kristi, and Jennifer Piper, and Angela and Brian Fisher; and 2 great-grandchildren, Jordan and Hunter Piper.  Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 24, 12 Noon at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing.  Interment will follow in East Lawn memory Gardens, Okemos.