Bettie Jean Wroe Lorenz
Bettie Jean Wroe Lorenz died at home on Tuesday, February 12, 2013. She was born on October 4, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa to William and Lula Collins. Following her education in Iowa, Bettie became an army wife when she married Duggins Milton Wroe. To this union were born three children: Candace Larsen (Tim), Duggins Milton Wroe, Jr., and Jeffrey William Wroe (Allison). Bettie also leaves behind four grandchildren: Kristopher, Hilary, Chance, and Alena; and a great-granddaughter: Kiran. Bettie was preceded in death by her husband, Major Duggins Wroe, USA, (ret.), her mother and father, and her only sibling, Anna Lucille Prillwitz.
During her 35 years of marriage to Duggins Wroe, they were stationed at several stateside army posts and served three tours of duty in Germany and one in Japan. Bettie worked as an elementary school librarian for School District 11 until her retirement in 1984. She truly enjoyed working with young school children, especially the opportunity to encourage their interest in reading. Bettie’s favorite charity was the Assistance League of Colorado Springs, where she volunteered since 1985.
One of Bettie’s greatest joys in life was to spend time anywhere in the mountains, especially at the Wroe family’s cabin at Wagon Tongue near Florissant. She also took great pleasure in viewing wildlife and sharing her life with her dogs. Bettie was very active in the Retired Officers Wives Club at Peterson Air Force Base where she served two separate terms as the President. Since 1988, she also served as the Publicity Chairman of the club and wrote a monthly news article concerning the wives activities for the Eagle, the monthly newsletter of the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.
Following the death of her first husband, Duggins, she married Colonel J. Edward Lorenz, who survives her. They enjoyed 29 years of blissful happiness together. They enjoyed travel, visiting all 50 states and some 40 foreign countries. Bettie is also survived by her three step children: General Stephen Lorenz (Leslie), Julie Remmert (Stephen) and Lt. Colonel Jeffrey (Connie); and eight step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the Air Force Academy Community Center Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Drive. Visitation will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 in the chapel. Burial will be held on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Assistance League of Colorado Springs.