Bette Lee Sawyer

Bette Lee was born December 12, 1938 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Burton B. and Bernice G. Butler.

She graduated from Ashland High School in Ashland, Wisconsin. where she involved with vocal music, cheerleading, and was named Homecoming Queen in her senior year. In 1960, she graduated from Northern Michigan College, with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She taught both music and kindergarten in Gwinn, Michigan public schools.

Bette married Michael J. Sawyer in 1960, and together, they moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1967. She was a homemaker, and mother of three children. She liked to walk two to three miles each day, and she also enjoyed gardening, knitting, sewing, traveling, and caring for and training her pets.

As a Methodist for 62 years, she sang in the choir and served on various committees. In March 2013, she joined Timberline Church.

She was a volunteer at Poudre Valley Hospital for 15 years, and also spent several years volunteering with Hospice of Larimer County. She especially enjoyed her volunteer time at Elder Pet Care.

Bette is survived by her husband, Michael J. Sawyer, and their three children: Anne Sawyer, of San Francisco, California; Matthew Sawyer (Gina), of Bozeman, Montana; and Ruth Sawyer, of Phoenix, Arizona, as well as 4 beloved grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and host of friends in the community.

Bette was preceded in death recently by her sister Linda, of Escanaba, Michigan, as well as her parents.

Per her wishes, Bette has been cremated.

An Open House Memorial for Bette will be held at Allnutt Funeral Service - Drake Road Chapel, located at 650 W Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado, 80526. The memorial will take place on December 30, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and everyone who knew and loved Bette is invited to gather together and share memories of her lasting impact on each of us.