Betty Lou Jeffryes

Betty Lou Jeffryes, a long time residence of Colorado Springs, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2013 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa, March 14, 1918, the first of two children born to the late Gen and Vera Wilson.

Betty Lou graduated from Simpson College in 1942. She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, while in school. Her plans to attend graduate school at D.U. for library science were cut short by WWII. She went to Washington D.C. to work as a cryptographer for the Signal Corps during the war. She knew hours before the rest of the country that the Japanese had surrendered and waited in downtown D.C. for the celebration to begin. She married college sweetheart Dale. E. Jeffryes in 1946, who preceded her in death in 2002

After her children were in school, she worked as a librarian at the DeKalb, Illinois Library and the Alamosa, Colorado Library from which she retired. She also was active in Girl Scouts, USA as a leader for many years. After moving to Colorado Springs for retirement, she also was a board member of the local American Diabetes Association for several years. She kept her love of reading to the end and she also enjoyed camping, watching all sports, knitting and crocheting. Her last years were spent with dignity and wonderful sense of humor.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children; Larry Jeffryes and spouse Shirley, Bonnie Kay (Jeffryes) Kern and spouse Darold; four grandchildren: Amanda Hovet, Lindsay Trent, Jennie Yates and Jordon Kern; and one great-grandson Brandon Trent.

A private family Celebration of Life was held at Swan Law Funeral Directors on June 5, 2013 followed by internment at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Pikes Peak Library District of Colorado Springs, Colorado, 20 N. Cascade Ave., CS, CO, 80903.