Betty Lea (Beard) McFarlane

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14: 1-6 (NLT)

Betty B. McFarlane passed away on September 23rd, at Lemay Health and Rehab from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Betty was born March 24, 1927 to Euel and Oma Beard in Spring Creek, Arkansas. Her family moved to Howard, Kansas, when she was three years old. Shortly afterward, they returned to Arkansas before settling in Upland, California in 1935. Betty attended school in Upland, graduating from Chaffey High School in 1945. She attended Throne’s Business School in Pomona, California, studying secretarial and office skills.

She married Robert Duane McFarlane on May 11, 1947. Bob, having served in the U.S. Navy during the last years of World War II, returned to active duty shortly after their marriage. During this time, they lived several places in California, Tennessee, Florida, and Adak, Alaska. Betty worked several secretarial positions during this time.

Following Bob’s retirement in 1971, they lived in Walnut, California. Betty and Bob divorced in 1980. Betty worked for CAL/GROUP, a dental insurance administrator, in Covina, California for 23 years as the Administrative Vice President and Office Manager. After retiring in 1995, she moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in 1999.

During her time in Fort Collins, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and belonged to their Mary Martha Circle. She enjoyed reading, and she belonged to a small book club. Her family, friends, and neighbors were very dear to her heart.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Ken) Odom; granddaughter, Stacy McFarlane; grandson, Zachary McFarlane; grandson, Ryan McFarlane; granddaughter, Shannon Odom; grandson, Travis Odom; sister, Peggy Bechtel; four great grandchildren, three nieces, and one nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Robert; an infant daughter, and an infant sister.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on Thursday, October 1, at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins.