Ida Beth Crowder (Thorne)

December 21, 1922 ~ May 31, 2011

Ida Beth (Thorne) Crowder was born Thursday, December 21, 1922 in Cowdrey, Colorado to Ida and E.R. Thorne. She was the great granddaughter of E.S. Lyon founder of the town of Lyons, Colorado. Ida Beth spent her childhood in Cowdrey, Colorado helping her parents run the Cowdrey Mercantile, soda fountain, and guest cabins.

Ida Beth had two sisters; Mabel Schilling (Veryl) and Margaret Rich (Clayton), and one bother Edward Thorne. She had the fortunate opportunity to meet her future husband as a dinner guest at her family’s place of business. She became Mrs. Russel Crowder in 1941. After Russell returned from serving in the army during World War II, they made their home in Walden, Colorado and raised their three children: Karen Hakonson (Donald – Longmont, Colorado), Kent Crowder (Kay – Walden, Colorado), and Kathie Robertson (Rick – Tucson, Arizona.)

Ida Beth and Russel ran a logging business for several years, and in 1967, Ida Beth began working for the North Park School District where she was employed as the school secretary until she retired in 1987. Though she lost her beloved husband Russel in 1989, she remained in their family home until 2004 when she moved to Longmont to live with her daughter Karen and her family.

Ida Beth is survived by her three children, six grandchildren; Lisa Hakonson, Scott Hakonson, Lynn Marquez Yarger, Susan Hakonson, Russel Robertson, and Ryan Robertson. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren; Jason, Tia, Cody, Karina, Michael, Lucy and Isabella, as well as one great, great grandchild Brody.

Ida Beth is remembered as a Master Bridge player who played with her local bridge club and also competed in tournaments with her lifelong bridge partner Marion Trick. Ida Beth found her greatest enjoyment in being with her family and friends. She had an active social life, who loved to entertain, dance, read, travel, cook, work in her yard, and do crossword puzzles. Later in life, she spent many afternoons assembling jigsaw puzzles and playing cards with anyone who would sit at the table, including grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of the First Methodist Church in Walden and a member of the Women’s VFW.

Ida Beth was an amazing woman who will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved her.

Ida Beth’s service will be held on Saturday, June 11th at 11:00 A.M. at North Park Community Church in Walden Colorado and she will be interred in the Jackson County Cemetery alongside her husband.