Betty Alvena McClendon Markus, age 98, of Minnetrista, Minnesota and Pueblo, Colorado died July 5, 2026 after months of in-home hospice care. She was born in Pea Ridge, Arkansas on January 14, 1928. Her father was Auba McClendon and her mother was Opal Forsyth McClendon. She was one of six children.
Her father moved often and ended up in Ordway, Colorado with a barber shop and a dining business. Betty attended Ordway High School where she graduated. She met her loving husband, William Markus, from Sugar City, Colorado and they were married on September 11, 1948, in Raton, New Mexico.
Both were then employed by Foster Lumber Company. William got a job with the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation in Pueblo, Colorado and they moved there in 1949. Their daughter Terry, was then born a few years later.
Betty was hired at Pueblo Motive Service as a bookkeeper/accountant where she worked until she retired at the age of 62. Her beloved husband William and her purchased a cabin in South Fork, Colorado which they called their "Happy Place." which is still owned by the family today. Betty loved to fish and hunt so this was the ideal second home for her.
Her smile, wit, personality and work ethic will be everlasting as we say good-bye to this special soul.
She is proceeded in death by not only her father and mother, and her husband of 69 years, William Julius Markus, her brothers, Victor, Bernar, Vernon and her sisters, Jessie and Troy. She is survived by her daughter, Terry (Michael) of Minnetrista, Minnesota, Grandson, Parker and grand dog Barclay and grand cat Klaus.
When her husband, William passed away in 2018, Betty moved to Minnesota to live with her family there. She lived a wonderful life and died peacefully in the Minnesota home that was serviced by a wonderful Hospice team.
Services will be held at Imperial Memorial Gardens on July 24, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. where she will be laid to rest by her loving husband.
5450 Highway 76 West, Pueblo, Colorado. A small gathering will complete the service.
