Betty Lou Burkholder

Betty Lou Burkholder was born and raised in Garnett, Kansas with her older sister Mildred and older brother Ray. She was highly accomplished in school playing the bassoon, earning academic awards, and receiving a scholarship to Kansas State University. However, being the independent woman she was, she declined the scholarship, applied and was offered a secretarial job working with the FBI in Washington DC. At just 17 years old, Betty graduated high school and moved across the country to begin her career with the FBI. Soon after, she received a promotion, working for a small group of agents investigating what would now be considered hate crimes in the south. Staying true to her oath with the FBI, never disclosed any of the details regarding their cases, even decades later.

Through a friend, Betty was set up on a blind date with Martin W. Burns, a young man in the Air Force that she fell in love with and married. Shortly after marriage, they were transferred to Tripoli, Libya in North Africa, this is where their daughter Tamara was born. They continued to be transferred with the military living in Yuma, Arizona, Tampa Bay, Florida, and Bangor, Maine, where Martin Jr. and Brian were born, and then onto Fairbanks, Alaska, and Omaha, Nebraska. It was in Omaha that Martin retired from the service and the family then moved to Colorado Springs to be near Betty’s sister Mildred.

Betty began her next career journey working for AT&T starting off in Omaha, Nebraska and then transferring to Colorado Springs when the family moved. She had a long and successful career with AT&T, breaking many “glass ceilings” for women at that time. Beginning as a secretary, she continued to advance, moving up to an executive level where she was responsible for a large team of employees and maintaining a high volume of assets.

Betty and Martin were divorced in 1976. Eventually, she started dating her friend and co-worker, Robert “Burk” Burkholder and to their joy, they discovered that they were soul mates. They were together for many happy years, even withstanding a long distance relationship when Betty was transferred to Chicago, and they finally married in 2000. Burk taught Betty how to fish, even with her long signature nails! They made their home in Lyons, Colorado just up the mountain in a house Burk built for them. They enjoyed their time together fishing, traveling their beloved Colorado mountains, and building a new business together at the Lucky 7 Fruit Market.

After retiring from AT&T, Betty was able to join Burk working full time in the market. They sold delicious western slope peaches, cherries, apricots, juices, honeys, jams, and more, their store and Farmer’s Markets across the front range. Betty loved meeting new people and making friends.

Betty lovingly cared for Burk in his final years, and was broken hearted when he passed. His only wish was "to never be forgotten" and Betty spent her remaining years ensuring that he wasn’t by enjoying her family, playing games, and deepening her faith with her participation in Women of the Word bible study. She was a faithful follower of God for as long as her mind and memory allowed.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, her husband Burk, and ex husband Martin. Her remaining loving family members include her daughter Tammy, son Marty and son Brian and his wife Lori. Her grandchildren include Ashley Holman, her husband Nick, Garrett Armann and his wife Caitlyn who blessed us with Betty's great granddaughter Lorreta, Justin Burns, his wife Alexa and Connor Burns. Betty is also survived by nieces, nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry St., Longmont, Colorado 80501. A funeral service will occur Friday, August 25, 2023 at 11:00 AM, 326 Terry St., Longmont, Colorado 80501. A burial service will occur Friday, August 25, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Foothills Gardens of Memory, 14241 N. 107th Street, Longmont, Colorado 80504.