Betty is survived by her children: Richard (Linda) Arvada; Jerald (Carole) Steamboat Springs; Michael (Lisa) Denver; and Donald, San Antonio, TX; her grandchildren: Wayne, Chad, Darian, Todd, Adam, Dean and Chutney; one great granddaughter; her siblings: Kay Crosier, Oakdale, NE; Cheri Wood, Sergeant Bluff, IA; Mark Wilkinson, Casper, WY; and Tom Wilkinson, Oakdale, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Otfried, Arvada; her parents, Harry Wilkinson, Vermillion, SD and Elizabeth Wilkinson, Oakdale, NE; her siblings: Jack Wilkinson, Oakdale, NE; Barbara Marsh, Brunswick, NE; Harriet Marsh Smith, Hastings, NE; and Robert Wilkinson, Battle Creek, NE.
Betty was born July 20, 1933 in Elgin, NE. She grew up on several farms outside of Oakdale, NE. After graduating from Oakdale High School she attended Wayne State Teachers College. She taught several years outside Oakdale, NE. She married Otfried on August 16, 1953. They moved to Arvada, CO in August, 1960. Her children remember her as kind, gentle and patient mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals.
Betty was a Sunday School Teacher at Arvada United Methodist Church. She was involved with United Methodist Women groups at the church and served as President of United Methodist Women several times along with other officer positions. Betty was involved in PTA at her son’s schools and served as President of the PTA at Oberon Junior High and Arvada West High School.
She volunteered at Jeffco Action Center beginning in 1984 and ran the Santa Shop for years. Betty also started working with Meals on Wheels in 1984. In 1994 Betty was recognized as the Arvada Woman of the Year. She also received an award for her work with the Race Relations Board and an Outstanding Volunteer Award from Denver Urban Ministries (Denum).
Betty was laid to rest on February 15, 2017 with a cryptside service at Crown Hill. There will be a Celebration of Life Service at Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St, on June 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Arvada United Methodist Church or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary, Cemetery & Arboretum, Wheat Ridge, CO.
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