Betty Minch

Biography Betty Nolene (Snook) Minch, 83, passed peacefully from this earth surrounded by her loving family at University of Colorado Hospital on November 27, 2014 after a brief illness. Betty was born in Coffield, Missouri to William Ambrose and Missouri Elizabeth Lawing on April 30, 1931. She was the last remaining of twelve half and full sisters and brothers. Betty’s family moved from Missouri to Longmont, Colorado when Betty was 17 years old. She was employed as a waitress until she met a young farmer named Donald Minch, the man who would become the love of her life. Betty and Donald were married on April 22, 1950 in Boulder, Colorado. During the first 15 years, along with running a household and raising a family, Betty helped run the dairy the couple had started while Donald did the farming. After the dairy was sold, Betty held a variety of jobs outside the home. Among them were Gould Industries, Longmont Coop and several housekeeping positions including The Alpine Lodge in Estes Park, Mountain States Children’s Home, and finally Longmont United Hospital where she worked in the Birth Place. Betty remained at the hospital until her retirement in 2006. Family was always Betty’s first priority. Her entire life was spent taking care of the people she loved. She loved to cook and had the ability to turn anything into a gourmet meal. There were many happy hours spent in the kitchen with family and friends. There was always music around the house. Donald played the accordion and there was always someone with a guitar or drums which produced many impromptu dance parties over the years. Betty remained active throughout her 83 years gardening, crocheting, canning and spending time with loved ones. Betty had the ability to make a complete stranger feel like family. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, William and Missouri, sisters Ruby Devore, Ernestine Wilson, brothers Willard Robert, Lester Lloyd Lawing, Ray Jewel Lawing, half sisters Grace Williams, Esta Williams, Clara Briggs, Opal Summers, Eura Robinett and half brother Oscar Lawing. Betty is survived by her husband of 64 years Donald, daughter Diane (Steve) Firestone CO, son Gary Mead, CO, grandchildren Wendy Derr Aurora, CO, Robin (Pita) Teaupa Firestone, CO, Ty Hodge (Susan Grein) Thornton, CO, Jeremy Minch (Carrie Haley) Firestone, CO, Denise LaRose Thornton, CO, Michelle (Bret) Derr Phillipsburg, KS. Betty is also survived by great-grandchildren, Isaiah Moncada, Cypren Teaupa, Elijah Teaupa, Maliana Teaupa, Letiane Teaupa, Jacob Grein, Jordan Hodge, Shayleen LaRose, Michael LaRose, Cody Derr, Seth Derr, Aiden McKinney, Jaelyn, Tristan, brother-in-law Henry (Marylou) Minch, sister-in-laws Alice Lawing, Ruth Lawing and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Betty will be greatly missed by everyone who was a part of her life. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday December 5, 2014 at Carroll-Lewellen Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at Foothills Gardens of Memory. Friends may share memories at www.carroll-Lewellen.com Service Information A service summary is not available