Betty Jane Austin

HAXTUN, Colo. | Betty Jane (Pope) Austin was born on July 13, 1925 to Millard F. and Helen (Hardy) Pope in Haxtun, Colo. She passed away on Aug. 6, 2012 at the VA Eastern Hospital in Denver, Colo., she was 87 years old. Betty married James A. Austin, who was a Sr., Korean veteran on Nov. 22, 1951 which was Thanksgiving Eve, in Barre, Vt. James passed away on June 30, 1989. Mrs. Austin taught elementary school south of Paoli, Colo., south of Haxtun, Colo. and in the Westminster District in Denver, Colo. She joined the Army on Nov. 6, 1948 and served until Nov. 6, 1951. In the service she taught adult basic education, public information, and plans and training. While residing in Barre, Vt., Betty worked on community projects and served on the Citizen Committee. She was very involved in her church and worked for a private business for 17 ½ years. While residing in Auburn, N.Y., Betty helped run a business for 10 years with a partner until her health broke. She was very involved with her church teaching Sunday school to unwanted children ranging from 12 to 16 years old. One of her passions was working with the veterans which she served and supported in Cayuga County. Following retirement she embarked on her hobbies, art and crafts. Betty was a member of the Holyoke, Colo. American Legion. Betty graduated from Haxtun High School in Colorado in 1943. She attended Denver University from 1943-1944. Every summer for three years she went back to summer school at Denver University to renew her teaching certificate. Betty is survived by James A. Austin Jr. (Beckie Austin), of Love Park, Ill., Dixie French Greenley (Eric Greenley), of Pensacola, Fla.; grandchildren, Cyril W. French, II (Julie Siegler), of Denver, Colo., Michael J. Austin (Jennifer), of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Adam J. Greenley (Michelle and Hunter Soule), of Longmont, Colo.; brothers and sister: Dan W. Pope Sr. and family, of Modesa, Calif., Millard D. Pope and family, of Holyoke, Colo.; friends, Galloway family, of Auburn, Janine MacLaughlin, of Auburn, Dianne Bockes, of Auburn, Jeanette and Mike Bronson, of Olean, N.Y., Patricia Austin, of Pleasantville, Pa., Wilber C. French, of Mooresville, N.C.; along with many other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by her parents, Millard and Helen Pope; Dora W. Kurtzer, Lincoln, Neb.; Kenneth H. Pope, Fort Morgan, Colo.; Lois W. Wisdom, Wray, Colo.; infant sister, Juanita June Pope, Holyoke, Colo. There will be a graveside service in the Haxtun Cemetery on her parent's family plot at a later date. Times will be announced. Baucke Funeral Home, Yuma, Colo. directed the service.