Myrtie Alice Botkins

Myrtie, known to her close family as Nanny, was born in Liberty, Kentucky. She grew up very poor and was just a child during the great depression. She worked at her father’s sawmill with her brother Deward (Bob) shoveling saw wood. Myrtie lived a hard life when she was young, and she’d tell you about in detail with her amazing stories. She would describe a shortened childhood where she was often expected to help raise her younger siblings. She was a mother figure very early in her life and she continued this maternal role throughout. Myrtie lost her own mother, Lillie Mae Foster, to breast cancer at a young age.

Myrtie met the love of her life, Gerald Botkins, shortly after high school while working in a bakery. They married in 1952 and shortly escaped their families’ tumultuous and poverty-stricken lives when they decided to move to Colorado to build a life of their own. Shortly after moving to Colorado, they adopted their only son, Paul Botkins.

Myrtie and Gerald were determined to give their son a better life than they had growing up. Both Gerald and Myrtie were driven, worked hard and were both very creative at finding ways to thrive in their new environment. Myrtie worked as a secretary for many years at Montgomery Ward. In 1973, Gerald had the idea to start an RV storage business, and they both poured their life into being the owners of Sheridan Boat & Camper Storage.

Myrtie and Gerald’s business and property have supported multiple generations. Myrtie’s real legacy lies in helping to support her children, grandsons, and great grandchildren. She was a true matriarch and leader of the Botkins family. She helped raise not only a wonderful son, but she went on to help nurture another two generations of children. She cooked, cleaned, changed diapers, and doted on her family. She spoiled her great grandchildren Josie, Brendan, and Norah with tasty breakfasts and lunches, slip n slides, basketball, board games, and epic sleepovers—enhancing their childhoods with summers that they'll never forget.

Myrtie is survived by her son Paul (Lucia), three grandsons Quinn (Sarah), Patrick (Ari) and Garrett, daughter-in-law, Kit and step-grandson Nikita. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald, parents (Lillie Mae Foster and Doris Richardson) and multiple siblings (Bob, Bonnie, Julia and half brother Hoy)

A Celebration of Life will be held at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231, US, on October 16, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, followed by a Committal Service at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery, 8600 East Hampden Ave, Denver, CO 80231, US, on October 16, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.