Betty Irene McDonnell, 85, of Greeley, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley.
Betty was born November 15, 1925 to Louis James and Mabel Gertrude (Miller) Decker in Marion, Nebraska. She was the 3rd of nine children.
In April of 1935, Betty moved with her family to Greeley. After the death of their mother in 1942, Betty and her sister Doris helped care for their six younger siblings. On April 27th, 1941, she married Pete McDonnell in Kimbel, Nebraska. Betty loved flowers and took great pride in cultivating her yard. Flowerbeds alive with color, her yard served as a gathering place for many family functions and celebrations. Her yard was the ideal backdrop for her grandchildren's games and adventures. She enjoyed traveling; hunting and fishing with her husband Pete taking their four sons on trips to Yellowstone. As a talented cook, Betty enjoyed baking and collecting recipes. She poured love into her cooking and baking for her family and spent quality time with her grandchildren in the kitchen passing on her expertise. She also enjoyed researching and sharing her family's genealogy. She was a wonderful story teller ensuring the future generations knew of their family's history. After raising her four sons, she became a manager at Greeley Goodwill. Family was her first priority and despite the many miles that separated her from them, she enjoyed a close relationship with all her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. She was treasured by them all.
She is survived by sons, Bill McDonnell, of Greeley; Pat McDonnell and wife Susan, of Eaton; Pete McDonnell of Greeley; grandchildren Jim McDonnell and wife Dawn, of Cheyenne; Tammy McAmis and husband Dan, of Frederick; Leah McDonnell, of Key West, Florida; Liane Gleaves and husband Chris, of San Jose, California; Jenny McDonnell, of San Jose, California; great-grandchildren, Austin Bryan, Morgan, Schuylar and Delaney McDonnell and Kelley, Emma McAmis and Ava & Sofia Gleaves; a sister, Barbra Decker of Everett, Washington and 4 brothers, Lawrence Decker of Magalia, Washington, Wayne Decker of Denver, Richard Decker of Seattle, Washington and Forest Decker of Molt, Montana. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Lois Wright and Doris Heinze, brother Gene Decker, husband Pete and eldest son, James McDonnell.
A graveside service to celebrate Betty's life will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2011 at Linn Grove Cemetery, 1700 Cedar Avenue in Greeley. A reception will follow the service at the Cave Creek Clubhouse, 3400 Sagebrush Blvd. in Evans. Food and drink will be provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Hospice at NCMC in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.