Obituary for Elizabeth Alexine "Betty" Kreutzer (Willis)
Elizabeth (Betty) Willis Kreutzer died January 14, 2024, following a short illness, at the age of 84. Her memorial will be held later this spring.
Betty was born September 17, 1939, in Walsenburg to Harry and Elizabeth Willis. She lived on the family ranches with parents and sister Barbara (Bobby) Andreatta.
Betty was an avid horse lover and had an outstanding 4-H record in many projects. 1957 was a big year for Betty— she was crowned Colorado State Fair 4-H Rodeo Queen, won the DAR Title for Good Citizen, and graduated from La Veta High School with honors from the National Honor Society. She then attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver.
Betty then married the love of her life, Ray (Buddy) Kreutzer, July 17, 1958, in Colorado Springs. They had 61 years together and she has dearly missed him the last four years since his passing.
They lived on the lower ranch on Highway 10, then moved to her grandfather’s home on Valley Road. Betty and Bud moved to town and were partners with Bud’s brothers in the La Veta Enco Exxon station for 19 years. They then moved to the Tres Valles Ranch and ran cattle and started the Wapiti Ranch, where they raised domestic elk and held chuckwagon dinners.
Betty and Bud began building their family of two daughters, Tammy and Penny, and son Wade. Then their pride and joy of eight grandsons became a big part of their lives. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and picnics with family. Betty watched the eight grandsons in 4-H, rodeo and sporting events.
Betty was a La Veta Redskin booster fan for many years. She and Bud were the Homecoming Grand Marshals in 2019. Betty then also was honored to be the Fourth of July Grand Marshal for 2023 and had 22 of her family members ride along on the float.
She was Worthy Matron of Eastern Star and Rainbow for Girls Mother Advisor. Betty was proud to be a 4-H leader for many years and teach young girls the art of sewing.
Betty loved to travel and went on several memorable trips with sisters and brothers-in-law, Marie Riggins, Keith and Ann Kreutzer, and Wayne and Gloria Kreutzer.
Betty is survived by daughters Tammy (Bill John) Hickey, Penny (Mark) Buderus, and son Wade (Sabrina) Kreutzer; eight grandsons, Justin (Monique) Price, Chance (Tomi) Price, Trey Price, Clint (Carissa) Buderus, Ty (Jess) Buderus, Bryce (Raquel) Buderus, Clancey Kreutzer and Kyon (Shai) Kreutzer; step grandson Russell (Annalee) Hickey, and step granddaughter Jenny (Wayne) Peil; 19 great grandchildren and a great-great grandson and granddaughter.
She is also survived by sister Barbara (Donald) Andreatta and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Mom never knew a stanger. She would stop by school activities and many would be calling her Grandma Betty (and she would just grin and love it).
Betty is preceded in death by her husband Ray Kreutzer, her parents Harry and Elizabeth Willis. Grandparents Asa and Emily Wilcox and grandson Lance Price.
There’s no friend like a mother, and no mother quite like you!
Donations can be made to the Sangre de Cristo Hospice, in lieu of flowers.
Betty was born September 17, 1939, in Walsenburg to Harry and Elizabeth Willis. She lived on the family ranches with parents and sister Barbara (Bobby) Andreatta.
Betty was an avid horse lover and had an outstanding 4-H record in many projects. 1957 was a big year for Betty— she was crowned Colorado State Fair 4-H Rodeo Queen, won the DAR Title for Good Citizen, and graduated from La Veta High School with honors from the National Honor Society. She then attended Colorado Women’s College in Denver.
Betty then married the love of her life, Ray (Buddy) Kreutzer, July 17, 1958, in Colorado Springs. They had 61 years together and she has dearly missed him the last four years since his passing.
They lived on the lower ranch on Highway 10, then moved to her grandfather’s home on Valley Road. Betty and Bud moved to town and were partners with Bud’s brothers in the La Veta Enco Exxon station for 19 years. They then moved to the Tres Valles Ranch and ran cattle and started the Wapiti Ranch, where they raised domestic elk and held chuckwagon dinners.
Betty and Bud began building their family of two daughters, Tammy and Penny, and son Wade. Then their pride and joy of eight grandsons became a big part of their lives. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and picnics with family. Betty watched the eight grandsons in 4-H, rodeo and sporting events.
Betty was a La Veta Redskin booster fan for many years. She and Bud were the Homecoming Grand Marshals in 2019. Betty then also was honored to be the Fourth of July Grand Marshal for 2023 and had 22 of her family members ride along on the float.
She was Worthy Matron of Eastern Star and Rainbow for Girls Mother Advisor. Betty was proud to be a 4-H leader for many years and teach young girls the art of sewing.
Betty loved to travel and went on several memorable trips with sisters and brothers-in-law, Marie Riggins, Keith and Ann Kreutzer, and Wayne and Gloria Kreutzer.
Betty is survived by daughters Tammy (Bill John) Hickey, Penny (Mark) Buderus, and son Wade (Sabrina) Kreutzer; eight grandsons, Justin (Monique) Price, Chance (Tomi) Price, Trey Price, Clint (Carissa) Buderus, Ty (Jess) Buderus, Bryce (Raquel) Buderus, Clancey Kreutzer and Kyon (Shai) Kreutzer; step grandson Russell (Annalee) Hickey, and step granddaughter Jenny (Wayne) Peil; 19 great grandchildren and a great-great grandson and granddaughter.
She is also survived by sister Barbara (Donald) Andreatta and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Mom never knew a stanger. She would stop by school activities and many would be calling her Grandma Betty (and she would just grin and love it).
Betty is preceded in death by her husband Ray Kreutzer, her parents Harry and Elizabeth Willis. Grandparents Asa and Emily Wilcox and grandson Lance Price.
There’s no friend like a mother, and no mother quite like you!
Donations can be made to the Sangre de Cristo Hospice, in lieu of flowers.