Betty Jane Brush

Betty was born on April 24, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Gladys (Robinson) and Walter John Brauer. She grew up alongside her twin sister, Barb, and her older sister, Connie. After graduating from Lakewood High School in Cleveland and attending Kent State for a year, Betty set out for a new adventure, moving west to Denver, Colorado, where she worked as a secretary and in administration.

It was in Denver that she met Raymond Brush at a local dance. They were married on September 19, 1959, and together they raised two children, Ron and Lynda. Though their marriage later ended, Betty’s devotion to her family remained the cornerstone of her life. She was a tender, loving, and attentive stay-at-home mother who also understood the importance of discipline, creating a warm and grounded home for her children.

To Betty, life was fundamentally about three things: faith, family and music. Betty was raised in the Lutheran church where she volunteered and played the piano, and actively encouraged the spiritual growth of her children. Considering family to be the greatest joy of her life, she was thrilled to become a grandmother and more recently a great-grandmother. She made it a point to stay deeply connected with her loved ones, regularly keeping in touch with her grandchildren.

Music was her other true passion. She began playing the piano at the age of 14, mostly by ear, and grew into a talented musician who loved sharing her gift with friends and family. She loved organizing sing-alongs for friends or playing her favorite tunes for the residents in her senior community. Her beautiful music filled the room and brought joy to everyone around her.

Betty is survived by her son, Ron Brush, and his wife, Kathryn; her daughter, Lynda Barden, and her husband, Steve; her beloved grandchildren, Lauren Barden, Zoe Brush Olson and her husband Ethan, Matthew Barden and his wife Savannah, Hope Brush, and Emily Barden; and her precious great-granddaughter, Vera Jane Olson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys and Walter Brauer; her twin sister, Barb Rogers, and husband John; her older sister, Connie White, and husband Mac; and her former husband, Raymond Brush.

A Celebration of Betty's Life will be held in early June – date and location to be announced.

A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Resthaven Funeral Home in Fort Collins, Colorado, after which she was laid to rest at Resthaven Memory Gardens. Some of the memories and music share at that service may be viewed here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pfpi47ft86tbupb1aht5u/In-Loving-Memory-of-Betty.mp4?rlkey=ddqgj99p96koopgb1okfoxl0l&st=wn6qg8g2&dl=0

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to Dementia Together at dementiatogether.org. Treasured memories of Betty are welcome at resthavencolorado.com.