Betty Ramona Franz

Betty was born January 20, 1925 in Depew, OK. She was the oldest of seven children. She was a "second mother" to her siblings as they were growing up and each of them thought the world of her. She married William H. Franz, Jr. in May of 1943 during W.W.II when he was in the U.S. Navy.

After the war and his discharge from the Navy, they moved to Denver, CO and they never left. She was a homemaker and did not work outside of the home until her children were grown. After they left home she began a career in retail, and worked in a medical uniform store for several years.

Betty loved church and family gatherings. She and her sister Vera were especially close. The past several years they enjoyed eating at Golden Corral Buffet & Grill once or twice a month. Her son Bill joined them most of the time and also other family members. Bill's friend Harry sometimes joined them too. Afterwards they would have great bible discussions. Betty was a very kind, loving and generous soul. If you needed her for anything, all you had to do was call and she would be there. She loved her grandchildren and missed seeing her Missouri family. She loved Dorothy and Karla's dogs and considered each one of them as her grand dogs.

Betty enjoyed bible studies, luncheons with her friends and family, and loved birthday and holiday celebrations. Thanksgiving was very special because Betty's family and her sister Vera's family all celebrated together.

Betty was an avid reader. She read the newspaper from cover to cover every day of her life until shortly before moving to Crossroads.She loved her daily Bible Devotionals and reading her Bible and enjoyed reading other Christian books, too. She never missed voting in a National, State or City election.

Betty grew up during the depression and was quite frugal in some ways. She always saved gift wrap paper, bags, bows, ribbon, pieces of foil, - things you could always use again. But when she gave you a gift, she did not use her frugal ways - she gave generously and with much thought. You were always blessed if you received a gift from Betty. She somehow knew what would make you happy. The last few years because of limited finances we stopped the gift exchanges, but the cards did not stop and the words she would write on them were full of love and encouragement. Her penmanship was absolutely beautiful so her cards were a treasure to receive.

Betty belonged to a pinochle card group and played for many years with the ladies from SW Denver. Most of all she loved her family and spending time with them. She was not a perfect person, no one is, but she always tried her best in every situation to be who the Lord wanted her to be. One of her caregivers, Bernnie, told me Betty would look out for the other residents at Crossroads and if someone needed help they were not aware of, she would come and get them. That was our mom. She wanted to help everyone.

She is survived by her daughters Dorothy Geer and Karla Weaver, son William H. Franz III, grandchildren Krystal Russell and Kim Brown; great-grandchildren Alex and Nick Russell, great-great grandchildren Trey, Christian, Winter Rose, Jordan, Josie and Cooper Stevenson, her sister Vera Boyd, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by husband William H. Franz, Jr., Daughter Linda Franz, granddaughter Rhonda Stevenson, three great-grandsons, Christopher, Joseph and David Stevenson and five of her siblings, Leona Schilberg, Raymond Bellamy, Harold Bellamy, Helen Latham, and Odis Bellamy.

A special thank you to those who cared for her needs at Crossroads of Lakewood. The kindness, care and love you gave to our Mother will never be forgotten. God bless each and every one of you. Audrey, Jamie, Lexy, Angie, Jason, Kip, Anna, Lidia, Aaron, Ashley, Silvia, Grace, Ricardo, Bianca, Bernnie, Deynisha, Releen, Ronnie and Julie, hair stylist.