Betty M. Layton

Bessie May (Betty) Layton was born on June 23, 1935 to Elmer and Bessie Telitz in North Platte, Nebraska. Betty was the sixth of seven children in a large bustling family with sister's Delores (Dee) Thrash, Erla Peck, Charleen Titus and brothers Elmer Vernon (Vern), Richard (Rick), Robert (Bob) Telitz. A family with pioneer heritage, Betty's grandparents had settled in Nebraska with her grandfather emigrating from Germany and her grandmother being full blood Native American. Betty's father worked at the North Platte airfield in the early days of commercial aviation.

Betty attended school in North Platte and graduated from North Platte High School in 1953. During WWII, Betty and her sisters would help out at the North Platte canteen at the Union Pacific train stop, providing the troops a snack and a smile as they traveled across the country to serve our nation.

Betty left North Platte shortly after graduation to marry her high school sweetheart, Elmer (Bucky) Layton who had joined the Navy and was serving in California. Betty and Bucky were married on November 8, 1953 in Gila Bend, Arizona and lived in a Quonset hut at the Port Hueneme Navy base until Bucky received orders for the Philippines. Bucky was a SeaBee and served almost two years at Subic Bay in the Philippines, repairing and reconstructing the port after the war.

Betty returned to North Platte while Bucky was overseas and upon discharge from the Navy, they set up home in North Platte. In October of 1956, they were blessed with a son, Randy Ray, and in December, 1958, their daughter Cheryl Ann was born. While in North Platte, Betty's extended family continued to grow with many nieces and nephews. Some of her happiest times were at gatherings, picnics and camping trips with the whole family in Nebraska. She loved all her family very deeply and was always "Aunt Betty".

Around 1960, Betty and Bucky moved the family to Denver, where they raised a family and lived most of their lives. Settling in Westminster, their children attended Clear Lake junior high school and Ranum High School. The family loved the outdoors and many weekends were spent at Red Feather Lakes on fishing trips. The trip back and forth to North Platte became routine and Betty was known to have a "lead foot" to shorten the many road trips to see her family. The Layton home was also always open to her nieces and nephews who often would live with Betty and Bucky as they ventured out of North Platte to Denver. Everyone was welcome at Betty's home.

Betty was a grocery sales clerk in her early years and eventually became an apartment manager in partnership with her husband. Betty would take care of the business side and Bucky would do all the repairs and upgrades to the apartments. She was a very devoted mother and when the time came that she had grandchildren, she found great joy with them. Betty and Bucky resided in Westminster until 1987, when they moved to Littleton to be closer to her daughter Cheryl, her son-in-law Jeff and their young family. Betty always viewed Jeff as a son due to his limitless dedication and love towards her family.

Since her move to Littleton, Betty was able to be with her grandchildren Ryan, Nicole and Chelsea as they grew from babies to young adults. She resided at Amity Plaza in Littleton for many years and was involved with the Visiting Nurses Association and served on a Citizens Board for the City of Littleton. In her later years, Betty was afflicted with many health problems but she was always strong and brave.

Betty passed away peacefully on January 19, 2010 after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband Bucky and son Randy, along with brothers Vern, Bob and Rick and her sister Delores. She is now without pain and will be greatly missed by all those she left behind.

Always loved, Never forgotten.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 25th at 1:00 PM at Mountain View Christian Church, 60 E. Highlands Ranch Parkway in Highlands Ranch. Betty will be interred at Ft Logan Cemetery with her husband.