The Grand Rapids City Council held a regular meeting at Grand Rapids City Hall on Monday.Â
During the meeting, Mayor Dale Christy proclaimed that the City of Grand Rapids will celebrate âPurple-Up for Military Kidsâ on Thursday, April 15. Purple Up is a day for communities to wear purple in a show of support for military children. The month of April is officially known as the month of the military child.Â
Members of the community are invited to the Grand Rapids Armory to take a photo commemorating the event at 4 p.m. Community members in attendance are asked to wear purple to thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. The Armory is located at 930 NE First Avenue in Grand Rapids.Â
Kenneth Roger Betz âRogerâ, age 89 of Bovey, MN passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2021 in the Garden Court Chateau in Grand Rapids, MN.
He was born May 24, 1931 in Grand Rapids, MN to Leo John âBudâ and Mildred (Shipman) Betz. Roger graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1949 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He served during the Korean War at Camp Pendleton in California. After discharge, he served in the Reserves thru the Grand Rapids Armory for 12 years.
He attended Dunwoody Industrial Vocational School from 1952 thru 1954 and received his degree in drafting and carpentry. Upon his return to Grand Rapids, he worked for Stan Helmer Construction until 1959. Desiring to expand his construction knowledge, he attended Bemidji State University until 1962 and received his teaching degree. His first job teaching started in the fall of 1962 at Osseo High School.