In Memory Of
Betty Grasmick
1921
2013
Betty Grasmick
February 17, 1921 — May 4, 2013
Betty Josephine Grasmick passed away on Saturday May 4, 2013.
Betty was known for all of her life as Betty Jo. It was only in the last year that she revealed her middle name was Josephine. She was born to Bonnie and Blaine Rowe on February 17, 1921 in Lamar, Colorado. It was nearly 45 years later before she discovered her birth had never been recorded. She recalls that there was a snow storm that day, and the Nutt twins were born just after her birth, and in the storm the doctor forgot to record hers.
Betty was an exceptional artist and musician. During her college days she played the organ at The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.
She graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in education, and her first teaching position was in Sugar City, Colorado. It was there during a dance that she met her husband, Hilbert Grasmick. After a couple of years, they married in 1943 at St Paul Lutheran Church in Sugar City. World War II was at its height, and since Shorty (Hilbert) was not able to join the army, they moved to Portland, Oregon where both worked in the defense industry at the Kaiser Swan Island Ship Yards building Liberty Ships.
After being in Portland for just over a year, their first child (James) was born. A few months later they returned to Colorado. Betty took care of Jimmy, and Hilbert worked as a farmer, and ultimately in the lumber industry. In 1950 after moving to Pueblo, Betty gave birth to their second son, Jerry.
In 1954 she and her family moved to Denver, and in 1957 she returned to Denver University to advance her education degree. Betty took a position with Aurora Public Schools a couple of years later and she taught there for over 20 years until her retirement in 1980.
During her retirement she and Bert took several cruises and lived for a few years in a beautiful home they purchased in Fountain Hills, Arizona. After her husband died in 1993, she returned to Denver where she lived in her condo until her passing in 2013 at the age of 92.
Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Rowe, father, Blaine Rowe, her husband Hilbert, her daughter-in-law Susan, and her son Jerry. She is survived by her son James, daughter-in-law Vickie, grand daughter Kimberly, grand daughter Brittany, grandson Zach, and two great grand children, Kody and Kaden.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 9300 E. Belleview Ave., Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Memorial Service
Saturday May 25, 2013
5:00 PM
St. Peter Lutheran Church
9300 E. Belleview Ave.
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Betty was known for all of her life as Betty Jo. It was only in the last year that she revealed her middle name was Josephine. She was born to Bonnie and Blaine Rowe on February 17, 1921 in Lamar, Colorado. It was nearly 45 years later before she discovered her birth had never been recorded. She recalls that there was a snow storm that day, and the Nutt twins were born just after her birth, and in the storm the doctor forgot to record hers.
Betty was an exceptional artist and musician. During her college days she played the organ at The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver.
She graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in education, and her first teaching position was in Sugar City, Colorado. It was there during a dance that she met her husband, Hilbert Grasmick. After a couple of years, they married in 1943 at St Paul Lutheran Church in Sugar City. World War II was at its height, and since Shorty (Hilbert) was not able to join the army, they moved to Portland, Oregon where both worked in the defense industry at the Kaiser Swan Island Ship Yards building Liberty Ships.
After being in Portland for just over a year, their first child (James) was born. A few months later they returned to Colorado. Betty took care of Jimmy, and Hilbert worked as a farmer, and ultimately in the lumber industry. In 1950 after moving to Pueblo, Betty gave birth to their second son, Jerry.
In 1954 she and her family moved to Denver, and in 1957 she returned to Denver University to advance her education degree. Betty took a position with Aurora Public Schools a couple of years later and she taught there for over 20 years until her retirement in 1980.
During her retirement she and Bert took several cruises and lived for a few years in a beautiful home they purchased in Fountain Hills, Arizona. After her husband died in 1993, she returned to Denver where she lived in her condo until her passing in 2013 at the age of 92.
Betty was preceded in death by her mother, Bonnie Rowe, father, Blaine Rowe, her husband Hilbert, her daughter-in-law Susan, and her son Jerry. She is survived by her son James, daughter-in-law Vickie, grand daughter Kimberly, grand daughter Brittany, grandson Zach, and two great grand children, Kody and Kaden.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Peter Lutheran Church, 9300 E. Belleview Ave., Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Memorial Service
Saturday May 25, 2013
5:00 PM
St. Peter Lutheran Church
9300 E. Belleview Ave.
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty Grasmick, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Starts at 5:00 pm (Mountain time)
St. Peter Lutheran Church
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