Betty Raye Mellberg

Betty was born to Kathryn and Kenneth Murray on August 14,1940 in Portsmouth Virginia. She attended schools in Virginia and Florida, graduating from Pensacola High School in 1958. She was involved in multiple organizations including Christian Youth Club, Drill Team and French Club. After graduating from high school, she married the love of her life, Ensign Kenneth Mellberg. The couple lived in and travelled the United States during the 20 years Ken served in the Navy.

During this time, Betty and Ken had five children. While in the Navy, the family lived in many places including Virginia, Rhode Island, California, Florida, Illinois and Louisiana where she enjoyed her many hobbies of water skiing, dancing, cooking, bowling and gardening. After Ken’s retirement from the Navy, he and Betty moved to Colorado. It was then that she became the owner and CEO of a business that provided products and services to schools in the Rocky Mountain Area and became a member of CCIRA and IRA. Betty also employed two of her grandchildren and taught them essential business skills so that they would go on to become successful in their own careers. Betty’s vibrant personality and her ability to relate to anyone she met made her an essential and well-respected member of her business community.

Although Betty’s work was her life for many years, she always managed to give her time to the most important people in her life, her family. Throughout her life Betty was always active in her children’s school organizations, sports and extracurricular activities. She taught her family the values of kindness, connectiveness and stability. She cherished her role as a grandmother, spending time cuddling, singing and baking with them. She loved bringing her family together, celebrating the holidays, birthdays and special events. Christmas was her favorite holiday. She enjoyed decorating throughout her home with the freshly cut Christmas tree, lined with an abundance of perfectly wrapped presents for her family as her masterpiece.

Vacationing with family brought so much enjoyment to Betty. She and her husband went to Branson MO multiple times to hear many of their favorite singer and song writers. Mickey Gilley was her favorite. She so enjoyed the culture and the beaches of Hawaii, Florida, California and Mexico. Every year Betty would look forward to spending a special weekend at the Broadmoor with her husband, her youngest daughter, son in law and four of her grandchildren.

Betty was a fighter for the last 18 years of her life, battling Dermatomyositis and Alzheimer’s. These diseases took away many of the joys that she was looking forward to in her retirement years. However, her faith in the Lord and membership in the Applewood Baptist Church helped her get through this difficult time. Much of her enjoyment during this time was spending time with her family in Colorado. In addition, going to their home in Goodyear Arizona at Pebble Creek where she enjoyed the winter months with family and friends visiting.

Betty’s Mantra: Live life to the fullest and have fun!

Betty is proceeded in death by her son Eric Lee, parents Kenneth and Kathryn Murray, and brother, Michael Murray. Betty is survived by her husband, Kenneth Mellberg; sons Kenneth E Mellberg, Jr and his wife Laurie of Golden; Neil Mellberg and his wife Laura of Littleton CO; Daughters Leigh-Anne Kent and her husband William I of Golden CO; Rene Chavez and her husband Lawrence of Arvada CO; Grandchildren Jennifer, Lindsey, Melissa, Megan, Jeff, Savannah, Makayla, Brooklynn, Hailey, Sarah, Taylor, Grant, Madison, and Reagan; Great Grandchildren Izabella, Ella, Hayden, Sloane, and Olivia.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the National Alzheimer’s Association. The family wishes to thank Abode Hospice.