Elizabeth Vera Karchefski

Elizabeth Vera Karchefski, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones September 13, 2026.

 Betty was preceded in death by her beloved late husband of 68 years, Ronald J. Karchefski. She is survived by her son Ronald Karchefski Jr. (Cheryl), daughter Suzanne Nichols (James), and daughter Joan Kraemer (Michael). Betty will be greatly missed by her grandchildren Ryan, Lindsay, and Adam Nichols and Kelsey, Alexander (Elizabeth), Madison, William and Robert Kraemer and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and George Kraemer.

Betty and her twin brother Billy (the late Adrian William Greif, husband of Jan) were born in Pennsylvania in February 1934 to her parents Pearl Vera (nee Mester) and Adrian William Greif. Their sister Babe (the late Gloria Jean Downey, wife of the late Patrick Downey) arrived only 18 months later, so Betty passed down many interesting stories of growing up in the Great Depression with three children under the age of 2 and no modern conveniences. The family moved to Detroit, where Betty attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School and graduated from Western High School in 1952. While still in high school, Betty began working at Zieger Hospital as a secretary. This career move was partly inspired by her desire to own a pair of Levi jeans, and her father’s insistence that if she wanted to buy a pair of men’s pants, she would need to earn the money for them herself.

 Betty met her future husband Ron while in high school. They lived across the street from one another for a while, and Ron would later tell his children how he used to watch this beautiful, skinny girl pedal her bicycle down the street while her sister Babe and twin best friends Bette & Bobbe were all seated on the bike too and headed to the movies for a 5 cent matinee. Betty and Ron were married in June of 1956 and after their second child was born in 1960, Betty left Zieger Hospital and stayed home with the children. In the early 1970’s, Betty opened an Ambassador (Hallmark) shop adjacent to Ron’s Par-T-Pak in Trenton. She worked long hours here and then later at “Ron’s” for the next 40+ years, alongside her husband and son, Ron and Ronnie. Betty always enjoyed chatting with customers and was thankful for the loyal patronage of their small local family business.

The family would like to thank Rivergate Terrace and their caring staff for helping Elizabeth in her final years. Her family will miss her deeply, but take comfort that she has now been reunited with the love of her life.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.