Betty was born January 29, 1936, to Albert and Louise Tuchenhagen in Omaha, Nebraska. She was raised in the small town of Scribner, Nebraska, being baptized and confirmed at St Peter's Lutheran Church. She graduated from Scribner High School in 1954 before earning a diploma in nursing from Lincoln General Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1957. After graduation, Betty married her childhood sweetheart Dale on July 21, 1957. Betty worked at Lincoln General Hospital in the operating suite until the birth of her first child, Sara. Following Dale's college graduation and subsequent military service the family settled in Fort Collins, Colorado where they welcomed two more children, Philip, and Laura. Betty returned to her nursing career at Poudre Valley Hospital working in the newborn nursery for 18 years.
After retiring from Poudre Valley Hospital, Betty started her consulting and breast pump rental business, Breastfeeding Success, to support breastfeeding mothers returning to work. For the next 20 years, Betty promoted breastfeeding, both locally and statewide, through teaching hospital and community-based classes, presenting at conferences, hosting tables at health fairs, serving actively in the Colorado Breast Feeding Coalition, and providing individualized coaching to mothers and babies. She was honored by her nomination for the statewide Nightingale Luminary Award in 2011.
Betty was an active and faithful member at Peace with Christ Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. Countless numbers of friends, family, visiting pastors, students and colleagues of Dale's, and neighborhood kids benefited from Betty's hospitality - and her famous chocolate chip cookies.
Betty treasured her extended family, and long-time friendships from her youth, college years, church, and professional life. She was a witness and inspiration to many and her compassion and generosity will be greatly missed.
In her later years, Betty suffered several health challenges, but her fighting spirit kept her going. She was so grateful to her physicians, nurses, and therapists for their compassionate and thoughtful care. She was especially thankful for the ongoing care, support, love and devotion from her children and grandchildren and to Louise and Lisa, caregivers, and friends, who provided her invaluable support.
Betty is survived by her children, Sara (Gerald) Buchleiter of Fort Collins, Colorado, Philip (Mae) Heermann of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Laura (Patrick) Langford of Sandy, Utah; and 5 grandchildren, Rachel Buchleiter of Nashville, Tennessee; Jonathan (Tara Storm) Buchleiter, of Austin, Texas; Austin Heermann, Nathan (Stephanie Beene) Heermann, and Laura Heermann all of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is also survived by her friend and sister-in-law, Judy (Heermann) Flynn; brother-in-law Manis Edwards; nephew Scott (Sarah) Edwards; niece Ruth (Ronald) Adams, and numerous cousins. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; parents, Albert and Louise; sister, Joanne Edwards; parents-in-law, Frank and Esther Heermann, and brother-in-law, Michael Flynn.
Memorials can be made to any of the following: Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition; Peace with Christ LWML; Lutheran Hour Ministries; or Orphan Grain Train in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 650 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526.
Funeral Services will be held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Scribner, Nebraska on March 31 at 10:30 am. Interment will follow at Scribner Cemetery in Scribner, Nebraska.
Online guestbook at www.hooper-scribner.com
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