Guyer, Betty Jean Witt 1930-2008

WITT, GUYER

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/8/2008 at 15:58:15

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 8, 2008

Betty Jean Witt Guyer, 77, of Highland Ranch, Colo., was called home by her Lord Friday, Nov. 28, 2008.

Betty Jean Witt was born May 27, 1930, in Le Mars. She was the only child of Carl H. and Anna S. Witt, formerly of Le Mars.

Betty was valedictorian of her high school class in 1948. She then attended Iowa State College, Ames. It was there that she met her husband, John. She graduated in March 1952, with a degree in home economics education. While at Iowa State she enjoyed dancing and studying with John in the library and going for chili and ice cream sundaes after a movie.

Betty and John were married April 5, 1952, in Le Mars. They purchased their first home, a lake cabin in southeast Wisconsin. It was here that she practiced her skills as a cook, even burning a couple of dinners. In January 1954, John was drafted and Betty returned to Le Mars to stay with her folks. She worked at the soda fountain at the drugstore in Le Mars, where she had also worked in high school. In July, John brought her to White Sands Proving Ground in southern New Mexico where they lived for 18 months. While in New Mexico, Betty enjoyed taking trips seeing, the Indian ruins, and Spanish monasteries in the area.

From March 1956, until February 1959, Betty and John worked a dairy farm near Burlington, Wis. On the farm Betty loved the animals, especially taking care of the baby pigs and naming most of the cows. She really loved her two German shepherds: Starry and Smokey.

In 1959, Betty and John settled in Arvada, Colo. While raising a family Betty worked hard sewing for her children and helping out with school, being involved with the PTA and Newcomers Club of Arvada. She and her mother had the most beautiful gardens in the neighborhood showing her love of gardening and flowers. She also enjoyed feeding the squirrels and birds in the area. She was an exceptional artist and enjoyed doing arts and crafts and especially Christmas Tree Ornaments.

Betty was very involved with King of Glory Lutheran Church, where she made the paraments and the costumes for the Living Nativity that are still used today. She also made many flower arrangements, centerpieces and banners used for various events at the church.

In 1961, Betty and John adopted Julianne and in 1964, they adopted Gregory Scott. She spent many years involved in all activities of Juli and Greg's lives. Her greatest joy was her children.

In October 1997 Betty and John went to Texas to attend the wedding of Greg and Kristi. In March 2000 Betty and John were present for the birth of their only grandson Benjamin Ryan, in Austin . Betty loved the Texas bluebonnets.

Betty had a very close relationship with her parents especially her mother, whom she took care of while she worked as a teacher's aide at Stott Elementary for 12 years, retiring in 1997.

In early 2000 some symptoms of early Alzheimer's Disease appeared.

John and Betty moved to Wind Crest in Highlands Ranch in 2007. Betty was able to spend 14 1/2 months at Wind Crest before going to an Alzheimer's Care home in September 2008.

Betty is survived by her husband, John, Highlands Ranch; her daughter, Julianne of Arvada; her son and spouse, Greg and Kristi of Aurora and by her grandson, Benjamin Ryan of Aurora.