KATHLEEN BETZ
KATHLEEN BETZ
Kathleen Betz, 76, of Parkman, WY, went to be with her Lord June 16, 2022, at Sheridan Memorial Hospital with her daughters by her side. Kathleen was born on Sept. 15, 1945, in Elk Mound to parents Earl and Evelyn (Alf) Cartwright. Kathleen completed school to the 11th grade, and she was thankful for her classmates who always invited her to their class reunions.
Following a short courtship, she married Jackie Allen Betz Oct. 3, 1962, in Elk Mound, and the following year their first daughter was born, Brenda Lee (named after Jack’s favorite singer). Kathleen worked as a bookkeeper for the family business, Betz Bulldozing, until 1981. She also worked as a CNA for many years, working nights so she could be with her children, Julie Ann and Jenny Lyn. She loved working with her elderly clients she took care of. During her time as a CNA, she was also involved in home health care. She was a source of strength and encouragement for her daughter, Julie, and granddaughters Jackie and Kimberley who followed in her footsteps in the healthcare industry, working as CNAs. She was one of the first people to work in an Alzheimer’s unit in Sheridan County, WY.
Kathleen was an avid reader, and John Grisham was her favorite author. She enjoyed a good murder mystery book or TV show. She always enjoyed many other things, including snowmobiling on Wisconsin trails, camping in the Big Horn Mountains, boating, hunting, garage sale shopping and animal-watching, but her favorite thing was being with her family, whether it was her nightly visits with her daughter, Julie, or talking for hours with her grandsons Casey or Cole. She always was in the know with what was happening in her family’s lives. Her guidance will be missed.
Kathleen was known for her pie baking and her delicious potato salad (her recipe is still a secret). She enjoyed watching old westerns and silent black and white movies because of the glamor of the actresses, “they were truly classy back then,” she would always say. After retiring, she and Jack spent their summers on the Big Horn Mountain camping, four-wheeling, cutting firewood and spending time with their family and pets, Alice Cooper and Ritzy.
She is survived by her daughters, Brenda (Allen) Nixon, Julie (Wayne) Paul and Jenny (Billy) Bolt; her grandchildren, Nicole (Ryan) Alley, Samantha (Chris) Gilbert, Jackie Nixon, Jessica (Josiah) Gillan, Kimberley Caywood and Casey Caywood; her great-grandchildren, Cole Gilbert, Natalie Gilbert, Khloe Gillan, Jecole Gillan, Phoebe Nixon, Jacob Alley, Max Alley and Winston Gillan; and brothers John Cartwright and Jeff (Sharon) Cartwright.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Jackie Allen Betz; her parents, Earl and Evelyn Cartwright; her sister, Nancy Nelson; and her brother, David Cartwright.
Memorials may be made to the Tongue River Valley Community Center or the Dayton Fire Department.
Online condolences may be written at www.kanefuneral.com.
Kane Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements.