Betty was born on January 25th, 1939 in Montrose, South Dakota. At the time, she was the third child of Clarence and Anna Staudenmier (Vornhagen), and their first girl. She had two older brothers, Ed, and Robert (Bob). Little did the boys know this would not be their first sister! Clarence and Anna had two more girls, Rita and MaryLou.
Betty grew up on a farm near Humboldt, South Dakota, where she helped raise various animals, which her least favorite were the geese. She had always said they were the meanest animals she dealt with. She helped her dad in the fields as well, along with her siblings and did various chores around the house. She had fun, too, playing with her cousins who lived down the road, and also with her brothers and sisters. During high school, she worked at the café in Humboldt.
Betty graduated from Humboldt High School in 1957, got married to Ronald Rost in 1959 and they moved to Denver, Colorado, shortly after. Betty worked at Continental Oil and they managed an apartment house together. Ronald was in the Army for the first few years they lived in Denver. They later purchased the apartment house at 1301 Clayton Street in Denver and lived and managed there. They had twin boys in 1965, although one did not survive. Betty continued to work at Continental Oil until their son Rodney was school age. They moved into their first house in 1969 at 4311 Milwaukee Street in Denver. They divorced in 1981.
Betty enjoyed sewing, gardening, knitting and crocheting. She made clothes and blankets and tended to her flower beds and garden. She enjoyed getting together with friends and family as well. Two of her siblings, Bob and Rita, both moved to Denver a short time after she did. She worked as a teacher’s assistant at Swansea Elementary for a few years and then went on to work for the City and County of Denver. She worked as an administrative secretary, at the Denver Animal Shelter for more than 25 years. One of her proud moments was meeting the mayor, for her 25 year recognition. She retired from the City in 2004.
By then Betty had two grandchildren, and spent as much time as possible visiting them down in Parker, Colorado. Even when she got sick, she always enjoyed seeing them, and hearing about their lives. She enjoyed living at Dayton Place and all the people she met there. She participated in craft making, painting, and games when she could.
Visitation to be held from 9:00 am to 10:00 am, Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary, 6601 S Colorado Blvd, Centennial, Colorado, 80121. Funeral Service to be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, with burial to follow at 11:00 am.
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