Alta Olivia Malnory (Buetow)

Alta Olivia Buetow was born to George and Hattie Buetow on August 15, 1923 in the village of Van Dyne, Wisconsin. Alta was the 6th of 7 children. Alta’s father passed away in 1928 when she was 4 years old. Her mother faced many hardships caring and supporting 7 children through the depression years.

Alta attended a one-room schoolhouse through her grade school years. In this small village many life long friendships were built and this little school holds reunions for all of those who attended. Alta attended many of these reunions over the years. She graduated from High School in Oshkosh and went on to beauty school that led her into a35 year career as a beautician.

After graduation Alta moved to Milwaukee to work and stayed with her sister and brother in law. During this time, her brother in law was paid a visit from his cousin who was home on leave from the military. The cousin saw a picture of Alta and was immediately taken with her, they arranged a blind date for her and that led to a long distance relationship while he was back in the service.

In 1944, Alta boarded a train from Wisconsin to California to be married to Elvin Burdette Malnory, casually known as “Buster” on October 7 in San Bernadino, California. After the war, they made their home in the Oshkosh area and a daughter, Kathleen, was born in 1946. Another daughter, Linda was born in 1951. They remained in Wisconsin until 1962 when the lure of the west and mountains brought them to Colorado.

Alta opened her own beauty shop that she operated for many years. She had several employees and was a certified teacher and judge for many styling events. She and Buster enjoyed camping in the mountains and traveling around with their truck and camper. Alta loved to bowl and always enjoyed music, singing and dancing away. They spent a lot of time with family and grandchildren and they were always a delight for them. There were always many friends and family visiting from Wisconsin.

Alta retired from the beauty business and started another career with United Airlines ground services. During this time she took advantage of her flying benefits and traveled all over the United States, Hawaii, Europe and Australia. She retired from United in 1998 after 17 years of service.

Buster passed away in 1985 and Alta remained in her home with her 3 dogs, a rotweiller, a chow and a chow mix. No one had to worry about anyone giving her a hard time; she had plenty of protection although she was pretty good at holding her own in most circumstances.

Alta was a very social person. She loved her friends and would spend hours visiting with them and shopping and just hanging out. She continued to spend a lot of time with her girls, daughters and granddaughters and always made sure they were taken care of. She was “lots of fun” to take shopping.

Words that describe Alta are caring, thoughtful, loving mother, spiritual and of strong faith, animal lover, strong willed, faithful friend, and she always had a smile for everyone.

After a long illness, Alta went to live at Valley View Care Center in Saratoga, Wyoming in 2005. While there, she made many new friends and built strong relationships. She passed away on January 1, 2011 at the Center. She was 87.

Alta was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers and 3 sisters, her husband of 41 years, and a great grandson, Dustin. She is survived by daughters Kathleen Bellows (Bill) of Saratoga, Wyoming and Linda Brown (Bobby) of Jacksonville, Florida; a brother Melvin Buetow of Appleton, Wisconsin; granddaughters Tracey Schneider (James) of Longmont, Colorado and Dawn Pachelo (Scott) of Castle Rock, Colorado and grandsons Logan and Zachary Janes and Cody Pachelo and great grandson Brandon Pachelo.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 on Wednesday, January 5 at Howe Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 6 at Howe Mortuary will burial at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 1:30 on Thursday.