Betty Lou Wolfe

Betty was born on December 16, 1934, in Alton, IL to John and Eva Hayden, the youngest of 5 girls, Jean, Norma, Jacqueline and Rosemary, all now deceased. After graduating from Marquette HS in Alton, she was determined to live a life filled with travel and accepted a job with United Airlines in San Francisco. Prior to moving to California in 1953, she happened to meet an Air Force Airman, Don W. Wolfe at Scott AFB, Illinois. Little did she know she had just met the love of her life. In California, they got engaged prior to Don’s Korean War tour.

In 1954 when Don returned from the Korean War, they married. A year later Don re-enlisted and together they decided to make a career in the Air Force. From 1955 to 1961 they had 5 children, John Matthew, Jacqueline Marie, Steven James, Michael Joseph and Donna Ann. For over 20 years travel was a way of life, with at least 20 moves to different places, including 3 overseas to Crete in Greece, Wiesbaden in Germany and the Philippine Islands. While on Crete Betty traveled to Tripoli, Libya twice. Wherever the family moved, Betty always made sure her entire family was active in the local Catholic church community.

One of their favorite assignments was Colorado Springs, CO from 1963-1967. While there, Betty even served as a volunteer P.E. teacher at Corpus Christi Catholic School. However, it was also the families longest stay because it included Don’s deployment to Vietnam for a year. They retired from the Air Force in 1975 in Bellevue, NE. Wanting to live in Colorado again they moved to Pueblo, CO in 1980 as they built an energy efficient earth sheltered home in Buelah, CO.

While working at the Pueblo Library, Betty returned to school and earned a BS degree in 1987 at CSU Pueblo. When it was eventually determined that Don was suffering from Alzheimer’s, Betty retired and moved to Colorado Springs. In 2002, after 48 years of marriage, Don died. Betty remained active for many years with the Holy Apostles parish, as a lector, with Bible studies, and working in the parish library. She was also a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, Reading for the Blind and Restorative Justice. She continued her travels and visited 6 out of 7 continents. She leaves behind her 5 children, 7 grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral Mass at Holy Apostles on Friday, January 23 at 2pm. Viewing in the church at 12 pm and Rosary at 1:30pm.

“In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs”