Betty Schnathorst

1924 - 2022

Betty Jean (Bixby) Schnathorst passed away on November 5, 2022 in Greeley, Colorado. She was born November 2, 1924 in Newton, Iowa, the middle child of David E. and Beulah L. (Seaver) Bixby, She graduated from Newton High School in 1942 and began working for Jasper County Farm Bureau and Extension Service. On July 8, 1945 she married Robert W. Schnathorst at St. John's United Church of Christ north of Newton after his return from World War II. She and Robert farmed for many years until he entered the insurance business. After Her children (Jane, John, and Dale) were in school, she worked at Jasper County Savings Bank in Newton. In 1969 they moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa where she worked at Mahaska State Bank. In 1972, they moved to Greeley, Colorado. Betty first worked at Nelson, Haley, Patterson and Quirk before working at United Bank (now Wells Fargo) where she retired after 15 years. Betty was a member of First Congregational Church of Greeley. She was a Deaconess and member of Women's group 6. She also was a member of the American Business Women's Association and Highland Hills Women's Golf Association. Betty volunteered at North Colorado Medical Center for over 20 years and also at the Union Colony Civic Center. She loved to travel, read and play Bridge. One of the trips she was most proud of was when she took her children to Italy in 2001 to meet some of the people who helped her husband when he was there during World War II. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents, and her siblings, Hubert Bixby, sister Thelma Dougal and twin sisters Lenora Reams and Leona Creek. She is survived by brother-in-law and sister-in-law Duane and Carolyn Hobbs, children Jane Lawton, John Schnathorst, Dale Schnathorst and wife Kari Short, 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A Memorial service will be held on Monday, November 14 at 2:30 pm at First Congregational Church, 2101 18th St. Greeley, CO 80631. Please join us for light refreshments after. Memorials can be made to First Congregational Church of Greeley, Colorado, Pathways Hospice, or to a charity of your choice in Betty's name. The family would like to thank all the wonderful helpers from Pathways Hospice and Grace Pointe Assisted Living. Betty was much loved by her family and friends and we will truly miss her.