Barbara L. Betz

Barbara L. Betz, 85, of Casa Grande died on June 19, 2015, at home.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Valley Memorial Chapel in Lamar, Colorado. A memorial service will be held in the fall for her friends at Sunscape Estates Wildhorse Community Center.

Mrs. Betz was born on July 6, 1929, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the middle of seven children of Leonard L. and Bertha S. (Buckowing) Applebach. She graduated from Grandville High School in 1947 and studied nursing at Wayne State University in Detroit. She married Frederick M. "Fred" Betz Jr. on Aug. 21, 1948, and moved to Colorado. She was devoted to her family and community and also worked at the family businesses, Lamar Tri-State Daily News and Media TV.

She served as a leader for Cub and Boy Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts and was set mother for Dudes-n-Dames square dancing. She was a board member for SE CO Health Care to help find doctors for the area. Her children were proud of the wonderful care she provided to their father when he had Alzheimer’s disease. She retired on Dec. 31, 1988. She was a member of Cameo Club, Beta Sigma Phi, The Directors Club at the University of Colorado and Red Hat Society and was Methodist.

Survivors include a son, Norman Thomas "Tom" Betz; two daughters, Rebecca "Becky" Larrew and Lynn Marie Betz-Seybold; two brothers, Norman and Jack Applebach; two sisters, Betty Wilson and Judy Applebach; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a son, Gregory J. "Greg" Betz; and two brothers, Dick and Donald Applebach.

Donations may be made to: Betz Family Rural and Geriatric Health Care Endowment (No. 0250072), University of Colorado Foundation, Box 17126, Denver, CO 80217-9155.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel was in charge of local arrangements.