Vetha Yvonne Petty

Vetha Yvonne Petty (Barnes), age 85, of Widefield, Colorado passed away unexpectedly on November 6, 2023. She was born on April 13, 1938, in Colby, Kansas to the union of Levi H. and Edith A. (Shull) Barnes. She is one of 6 children born to this union along with 2 siblings from a previous union.

As a young woman waiting tables, she met the love of her life a dashing young radio personality by the name of Norman E. Petty. They were later married on May 25, 1956, raising four daughters: Yvonne, Yolanda, Teresa and Victoria. The family eventually moved to Widefield, CO in 1970 where Norman taught at several schools in Widefield School District 3. Raising four girls on a teacher’s salary was difficult. Vetha used her considerable talents as a seamstress to keep her family clothed in style and worked retail to fill the gaps. She was eventually able to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Vetha worked as a nurse at St. Mary Corwin hospital in Pueblo, Colorado for several years before having to retire to care for her declining husband.

As complicated and multifaceted as our mother was, she was a caregiver in all that she did. She was always there to help where and when she could in terms of taking care of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and ailing family members. She was willing to give of herself for the benefit of others. She continued to do that until the very end, and no one can say she wasn’t an incredibly hard worker. She passed on her strength, intelligence, stubbornness, resilience, and fortitude to all of us girls and they are incredibly grateful.

Vetha was preceded in death by her husband Norman E. Petty; siblings Violet Peterson, Russell Peterson, Flora Forbes , Roby Barnes, George Barnes; brother-in-law Alden Forbes, daughter Yolanda Byers and son-in-law Gregory Short.

Vetha is survived by siblings Levi Barnes (Patsy), Birkley Barnes, and sister-in-law Lois Barnes. Daughters Yvonne Short, Teresa Graham (Richard Treaster) and Victoria Stroud (Daniel) and son-in-law, Joe Byers. As well as 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She will be cremated with services to be scheduled later and eventually will be interred next to her husband in Colby, Kansas.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Petty family.