Betty Wilkening

Betty Jo Wilkening , age 91, died February 20, 2018 following a long illness.

Betty Jo was born June 24, 1926 in Otterville, Missouri.  She was the second child of Asa Vest Bishop and Jo Ellis Bishop.  Betty Jo grew up on a farm outside of Otterville with her sisters Nancy Ellen and Shirley Leigh.  She graduated from Otterville High School.

In 1946 she married Clifford Wilkening, Corporal USMC.  As a career Marine, the couple live all over the US until Cliff retired in 1958.  Cliff, Betty and their 3 children moved from San Francisco, California to Crawford, Colorado.  Clifford passed away in June 1990 but Betty stayed in the Crawford area until she moved to Grand Junction in 2010.

Betty worked at the First State Bank of Hotchkiss.  She enjoyed working for the original owners of the bank, Walt and Jim Addams.  After Cliff and Betty retired they traveled all over the world and the U.S.  They skied in the winter and river rafted in the summer.  Betty continued to travel after Cliff’s death.

Betty was very civic minded.  She was a former member of the Delta County Planning commission, helped establish the Crawford Mesa Water Company, Crawford Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, Hotchkiss Senior Citizens, and Crawford -Hotchkiss Historical Society and Museum.  Betty was a 50-year member of Hotchkiss Order of Eastern Star, and attended St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Delta, Colorado.    If a volunteer was needed, Betty could be counted on the help with any area project.

Betty was preceded in death by: husband Clifford, her mother and father, Asa and Jo Bishop, brother Ellis, sisters Nancy Meyer and Shirley Bowers.  She is survived by: daughter Ivy Jo Rezak (Norm Coon), Cedaredge, CO, son’s Garry (Billie) Wilkening, Severence, CO, Larry (Sherry) Wilkening, Hotchkiss, CO; 6 grandchildren,  11 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at a later date.

The family would like to personally thank Paul and Corene Ewing and staff at the Grand View Care Lodge, Grand Junction, CO for their loving care for Betty.

Please consider making a memorial contribution in Betty’s name to the North Fork Ambulance Associates, PO Box 127, Hotchkiss, Colorado 81419.

Services have been entrusted to Browns Cremation and Funeral Services.