Betty Arlene Mitchell

It is with great sadness that the family of Betty Arlene Mitchell announces her passing on August 8, 2023 at the age of 95 from natural causes. The family feels blessed that she had a long, loving life and passed away peacefully in her sleep.

Betty was the youngest child of Leonard and Bessie Herrington. She had two older brothers named King and Sam. Their family lived on a homestead near Anton, Colorado and was raised by loving parents.

Betty attended a one room school in Anton, Colorado for the first 9 years of her education. During her high school years, she boarded weekdays in order to attend school in Akron, Colorado graduating in 1946. Betty was always a good student and enjoyed school.

Betty met Frank M. Mitchell Jr. and knew he was the one she wanted to spend her life with. They were married in St. Frances, Kansas on January 17, 1947 when the war was over and Frank returned to Colorado after his service in the Navy. They met in eastern Colorado but knew they would put down roots in Boulder. Their first home was an 8’ x 21’ mobile home in Boulder, Colorado. They soon purchased their one and only home on Pine Street. It was the first time Betty lived in a house with indoor plumbing. Betty lived in their home for 72 years and only had one phone number her whole life. Their first child, Sharon Kay was born in 1948 and Larry Jay followed in 1951. Frank was a hard-working husband and father, Betty cared for her family and home but also had couple of part-time jobs over the years.

Traveling became something both Betty and Frank enjoyed and made yearly trips to Canada visiting their daughter and granddaughters. They also enjoyed cruises, going to Hawaii, and went camping. Over the past five years, Betty spent two summers in Canada and traveled with family which included two trips to Mexico.

Both Betty and Frank were supporters of the Boulder Elks and after Frank’s passing, Betty continued to enjoy events at the Elks.

Betty enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting (Knotty Grams), and playing cards. Betty belonged to card clubs for 50 years and was the best cribbage player; even winning the last game she played two weeks before her passing. She was an excellent teacher of the game and played cribbage with family on a regular basis. Her mission: to win the game and keep the other players on their toes!

In 1979, they built a cabin in Red Feather Lakes and enjoyed time with family and friends. Many holidays and gatherings were enjoyed in this special place they created. This past July 4th, she attended the 100th anniversary celebration of Red Feather Lakes with her son and daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. (By the way, she was queen of cribbage that weekend too.)

Betty took up golf later in life and that is the only sport she was ever interested in and she was good at it! She won many tournaments over the years and made many friends. Her last golf game was at the age of 83.

After the passing of Frank, Betty enjoyed the companionship of Wayne Ralston and together they enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends, playing cards, TV watching, eating in restaurants, and just being together.

Little-known facts that the reader might enjoy… Betty loved Cheetos, mini cinnamon rolls, pumpkin spice coffee, pizza on Saturday night, and popcorn and apples on Sunday night. Betty was a gem of a person and we are so fortunate to call her mom, sister, aunt, grandma, great-grandma, and friend.

Betty is survived by daughter Sharon McKim (Glenn Hoflin), and her three daughters Jenna Panchuk (Dan), Melanie Johnson (Jason Lungul), Leah Johnson-Coyle (Tom) and great-grandchildren, Emma and Eva Panchuk, Jaxxon and Alivia Lungul, Molly and Finley Coyle; son Larry Mitchell (JaneLee) and their two daughters Heather Graham and Aimee Dugan (Jesse) and great grandchildren, Hannah Graham, Lilli Graham (Dalton Phillip), Katelee Holderfield (Steven), Emilee Dugan, Rylee Dugan (Trinity), and Weslee Dugan. Also surviving is Elsie Winn (sister-in-law) and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Betty is preceded in death by husband Frank, father and mother Leonard and Bessie Herrington, brothers King Herrington (Polly) and Sam Herrington (Helen), great-grandchildren Beck and Bentley Coyle.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Boulder Elks Scholarship Fund, Box 978, Boulder, Colorado 80306.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on August 21, 2023, at Christ Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park, 3395 Penrose Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301.