Bettie Sue Hunter

Bettie Sue Beckner was born at home on March 26, 1935, to Edith Beckner (Gray) and Robert Beckner in the small rural town of Princeton, KY, where she and her younger sister, Bobbi, enjoyed the love of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The families were quite poor, and in 1942 her parents decided it would be necessary to move up north to survive; so “Daddy Bob” got a job in the auto industry, and they moved to a basement apartment in Detroit.

It was there that she met a “cute, chubby little boy” named Duane Hunter in elementary school, whom she later reconnected with as teenagers at Olivet Presbyterian where they attended church camp. Duane and Bettie were married June 18, 1955, and lived frugally while Duane pursued his apprenticeship at GM and Bettie worked (and played softball) for Bell Telephone until starting a family. Daughter Pam was born in 1957 and Becky in 1960, and the family moved to a comfortable little home in the suburbs where she enjoyed keeping a beautiful home, baking cookies, sewing and making crafts.

A neighbor invited her to attend the nearby Lutheran church, and it was there that Bettie became actively involved in teaching Sunday School, Bible study, singing in the choir, participating in the ladies’ guild, and she and Duane were actively involved in the Lutheran school the girls attended. Later she served as the school secretary and became treasurer for the Michigan district of the LWML.

Grandchildren Kim and Adrien Butler were born to Pam and Craig Butler in Michigan and later moved to Colorado, and after grandson Justin’s (born to Becky and Ron Landry) family also moved to CO, Duane retired, and he and Bettie later decided to move as well. They continued to enjoy camping and travelled extensively and became members of Rock of Ages Lutheran Church.

Duane and Bettie loved being grandparents, then GREAT grandparents to Robyn and Brooke (born to Kim and Dave Foster). Sadly, Duane was diagnosed with dementia in 2006 and passed away February 6, 2012, so he never knew Hunter and Glen (born to Adrien and Kelly Shea) or the most recent addition, Silas (born to Justin and Shannon Landry).

Bettie was always a very social person - she made many friends throughout her life and will be remembered as a kind, generous person – ready to serve others and her Lord, often baking her famous Scottish shortbread to share. She also enjoyed parties and often planned theme parties, so it was one of her great pleasures to have had several notable events such as their 50th anniversary pirate party floating on the Flaming Gorge, and her 80th birthday a Gone with the Wind (her favorite movie) party as well as numerous memorable Halloween parties. She also enjoyed shopping and will be remembered as always being well dressed and coiffed with perfect makeup and nails – even just to go to the store.

Bettie had extensive back surgery in 2004, and she continued to have significant pain which increased as she developed severe arthritis which eventually resulted in her becoming homebound. She continued to do what she could, including praying and making inspirational cards to share with a wide network of friends and family.

Bettie passed away peacefully while sleeping on Friday, January 10, 2025, after looking forward to and having been blessed with the opportunity to spend one last Christmas party with all of her children and grands together at her home. While she will be deeply missed, we are rejoicing with her that her suffering has ended and she’s celebrating in heaven with all the angels and saints that have gone before her. She left us all with the gift of having known her and made sure that we know Jesus and have the assurance that we will see her and each other again one day.

A memorial service will be held at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 120 N. 31st Street, Colorado Springs, at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to their banner or quilting groups, both of which Bettie worked to support.