September 4, 1928 — March 27, 2025

La Junta, Colorado

 

Obituary

Betty Louise Steele, 96, of La Junta - Swink, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Fowler Health Care Center in Fowler, Colorado surrounded by her loving family. She was born September 4, 1928 in Fowler, Colorado to Wilfred “William” Henry & Edna (Waddle) Widmer.

Betty attended school in Fowler until 9th grade. In 1942, Betty moved to Englewood, Colorado with her mother where she graduated from Englewood High School in 1946. Betty had a deep love for music and played tenor, alto sax and clarinet in several dance bands even after graduating.

Betty worked for Mountain Bell Telephone Company in Denver and the American Red Cross in Englewood. After moving to La Junta, she worked in McKenzies Music Department and later for Mullins Finance Company. In 1959, she worked at Colorado Bank and Trust until she retired in November 1991.

Betty’s oldest son, Michael was born in 1949 and her second son, John Wayne was born in 1952. Betty’s mother Edna, died in Englewood in 1954, at the age of 47; and father, William, died in Portland, Oregon in 1976 at 76 years old.

Mom, Grandma Betty, was a roller-skater, bike rider, swimmer, tree climber, and a drift wood river bottom smoker in Fowler. As she aged, her interests became music, first and foremost, as well as dancing, reading, sewing, bowling, fishing, driving cars and pick-ups, cheering for the Broncos and gambling, which she and her husband Johnny Steele were very good at.

Betty was married to Del Dee McCarty in August of 1948. She then married the most handsome man in Fowler, Colorado, Don Chronister on August 18, 1951. She later married another most handsome man, Johnny K. Steele on April 11, 1980 whom all precede in her death.

Betty is survived by her sons, Michael (Teresa) Chronister of La Junta, CO; and John Chronister and partner Mike Salas of Central City, CO; grandchildren, Chris Chronister of Brighton, CO; and Jerry Don (Nicole) Chronister of Aurora, CO; and dear to her heart, great-grandchildren, Ivy & Cole Chronister of the family home in Aurora, CO. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred & Edna Widmer; and husbands, Del McCarty, Don Chronister and Johnny Steele.

Betty’s love for her family and friends was a huge part of her life including her love for her many pets, especially her beloved affectionate huge fat cat, Casey. Betty will be missed by her family and many, many friends.

Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel in La Junta with Pastor John Dell of First Christian Church of Rocky Ford officiating.

Those wishing to do so may make Memorial contributions to Casa Del Sol at 1002 Casa Del Sol Drive, La Junta, Colorado, 81050 or Fowler Health Care at 221 2nd Street, Fowler, CO 81039.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.