Charlotte E. "Betty" Bolmer

Charlotte Elizabeth (Betty) Bolmer, 99, a Denver native and life-long Colorado resident, passed away after a short illness on August 16, 2020. She lived a long and full life and was definitely a part of the Greatest Generation.

She was born on March 21, 1921 in Denver, Colorado and was the only child of Dorathea and Charles Kiehnhoff of St. Joseph, Missouri and Wathena, Kansas. She enjoyed growing up in Denver when it was a smaller and quieter city. Betty was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She graduated from South High School, Denver, Colorado in 1939. After high school she worked as a secretary. In June 1942 she married her first husband, Clarence R. (Ray) Johnson of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, who was a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Air Forces during World II. Ray was reported missing in action and presumed dead in December 1943.

In September 1948 she married Robert (Bob) L. Bolmer, a mining engineer, who served in the US Navy as an electronics technician during World War II. They began their life together living in the small mountain community of Gilman near Leadville, Colorado. Later they moved to Lakewood, Colorado where they lived for many years and raised their three children. Betty was the school librarian for Dennison Elementary School, and after raising her three children she was employed by Champlin Petroleum Company. In 1990 Betty and Bob retired to western Colorado, living in Battlement Mesa and Grand Junction. After the death of her husband Bob in 2003, Betty returned to Lakewood.

Betty’s passion was her family, and she loved spending time with them. She was a member of Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lakewood. She was a bridge player, enjoyed reading and walking. She created many beautiful needlework wall hangings. She appreciated the beauty of Colorado’s mountains, especially the golden aspens in the fall.

Betty is a much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; she will be missed. She is survived by her son, Robert S. Bolmer of Lakewood and two daughters, Claudia K. Wolff (Steve) of Ridgway, Colorado and Emily A. Miller (Steve) of Littleton as well as three grandchildren, Andrew Miller and Joseph Miller of Littleton and Elaine Poplstein (Charles) of Potomac, Maryland, and two great grandchildren Luke Poplstein and Claire Poplstein. She is also survived by two nieces and a nephew. She was predeceased by numerous life-long friends, cousins, and her sister and brother-in-law.

A memorial service will be held at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado in the fall.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Samaritan’s Purse or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.