Betty Jane Gebauer

1922 - 2014

Betty Jane Gebauer was born in Omaha, Nebraska on January 6, 1922, the daughter of William and Flossie (White) Baker.  In her early years she moved with her parents and younger brother to west Texas where her father was employed in the oil fields.  She began school in San Angelo then moved with her family to Tyler where she attended grade and high school and Junior College where her major studies were in journalism. 

In 1942 she moved to Amarillo where she was employed for a time at the Globe-Times newspaper and then as a copywriter for radio station KFDA.  Later she worked for Cities Service Gas & Oil Co. and for several  years was employed as a secretary for Southwestern Public Service Co.

In 1951 she attended Stenotype Business School in Colorado Springs and worked part time for a wholesale and retail jewelry concern.  In 1953 she took a secretarial job in the Public Relations department of Climax Molybdenum Co. near Leadville.  On February 4, 1956 she married John B. Gebauer and in September of the next year moved with her family to the farm-ranch near Akron, CO.  To this union two children were born:  Teresa Lynn in 1957 and Mark John in 1960.  She also adopted and helped raise their son, Francis.

In 1989 she and John moved into town to be closer to church and friends.  The little home on Bent Street  hosted many holiday and birthday celebrations with children, grandchildren and friends. 

She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society, the IBT (I'll Be There) Extension (FCE) Club, Sunday Night Pitch Club and in earlier years she was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority.  She served as Republican Precinct Committee woman and also helped for several years with the annual eye screening clinic conducted by the women's auxiliary of the Lion's Club.

Her interests included reading mystery and western romance stories, playing the organ and writing.  She was instrumental in compiling and writing a history for St. Joseph's Parish yearbook in 1978.  Her chief hobby was genealogy and she did extensive research on the families of her parents and also those of her husband's parents and compiled several volumes which she gave to her children.

On November 24, 2007 she lost her beloved husband, friend and spouse of 51 years, John.  In July of 2007 she moved to The Lodge at Balfour in Louisville, CO to be closer to her daughter and son and their families and to enjoy all that retirement had to offer.  She enjoyed water aerobics, Wii Bowling, exercise classes, speakers on various subjects and the wonderful meals and companionship that the Lodge offered.  Every Thanksgiving, Easter and Mother's Day she presided over family meals as the loving matriarch she was.  She often invited her friends and family to lunch or dinner, and built a loving relationship with all of her grandchildren. 

She passed peacefully after a sudden illness on April 16, 2014.

Preceding her in death, besides her parents, were her brother, Bill Baker of Bullard Texas and her husband John. 

Survivors include:  son Francis Albert Gebauer (Susan)of Boulder, CO; son Mark Gebauer of Akron, CO; daughter Teresa Lynn Morris (John)of Arvada CO; grandson John Paris Gebauer(Daphne)of Colorado Springs, CO; grandson Ryan Gebauer of Westminster CO; granddaughter Meghan Gebauer of Boulder, CO; grandson Matthew Morris (Jamie) Centennial, CO; granddaughter Marinda Morris of Denver, CO; great grandchildren Christian and James of Colorado Springs, CO. 

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday April 25 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Wheatridge, CO at 6 pm with rosary to follow at 7 pm.  Funeral Mass will be conducted by Fr. Leo Smith and held at St. Louis Parish in Louisville, CO at 10 am on Saturday April 26 with lunch to follow at The Lodge at Balfour.   All are welcome to come to any part of this celebration and remembrance of Betty's life.

In lieu of flowers, Betty had requested contributions to be made to the following:

Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation (RMLEI Foundation) or St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Akron, CO.