Betty Lee Strang, 90, longtime resident of Colorado Springs, passed peacefully away on April 24 at Pikes Peak Hospice. Born December 3, 1925 in Eaton, Wisconsin to John and Ada (Rose) Willis, Betty was the oldest of three children, followed by brothers Jimmy (Leonor) and David.
Betty grew up in Texas and Colorado, graduating from Pagosa Springs High School. She attended business school in Colorado Springs and there met her husband, Waldo. They married in 1947 and their only child, Larry, was born in 1949. In 1960 the family moved to Rawlins, Wyoming, and there met many of their lifelong friends through square dancing with the Sinclair Promenaders.
From Rawlins they moved to Denver and then Beaver, Oklahoma. When Wally had a health scare, they decided to retire, touring the country they loved so much in a 5th wheel trailer.
They eventually joined their extended Wyoming family and friends in Mesa, Arizona, where they loved the weather, the people, the golf, and the “occasional” party. When Wally’s cancer took him in 1990, Betty began commuting back and forth to Mesa as a snowbird, keeping the routine up until recently.
When asked what she was most thankful for, she said for her long life, her many travels around the world, her great friends and family, and her son Larry, his wife Terry and her wonderful grandsons, Bryan and Bart. A strong and independent woman, she lived on her own until 29 days before she died. While she may have left us physically, her memory and strength of spirit will continue to inspire and motivate us as we all continue to celebrate the life of this amazing Friend, Aunt, Sister and Mother. Betty, we love and miss you.
Donations may be made to Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation at Penrose Hospital.