Betty Jo Hancock, 94, passed away on September 9, 2026, in her hometown of Walsh, CO. She was born April 4, 1932 in Cassville, MO, where she grew up surrounded by family as she was the oldest of seven siblings.

At age 16, Betty and her family eventually made their way to Walsh, CO. Betty attended Walsh High School and began work running a fountain at the local variety store. She was soon married to the love of her life, Ervin Lee Hancock, on January 11, 1951. To this union three children were born, Lana Sue (1951), Victor Lee (1952), and Terral Lynn (1956).

Betty became the epitome of a farm wife. She brought meals to the field, maintained the home, and had a meal waiting when Ervin arrived home. Betty was an avid gardener and liked to maintain an immaculate yard. She was skilled at cooking. Betty was well known throughout the community for her mac and cheese, and in later years cherry dump cake.

Betty had many ways of engaging the family in keeping the home tidy. This included dusting on Saturdays, washing on Monday, ironing on Tuesday, and once a month the kids got to race across the wooden floor on rags to wax it to a shine. As an avid homemaker Betty taught Lana to sew and even went so far as to make many of Lana’s formals.

Ervin and Betty were blessed with seven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Betty especially loved following these youth in all their athletic competitions, often keeping her own score and statistics. Betty’s love for family also extended to following her grandchildren in church activities, music performances, rodeo events, and many, many family celebrations. Trips to the lake to fish and ski were a particular favorite of many. Family holidays almost always included playing Pitch, Razzle Dazzle or Dominoes and held many laughs and fun stories.

Throughout their years Ervin and Betty had many hobbies they engaged in together. Betty was an officer in the Blue Monday Bowling League and bowled for 54 years with this league. Together they bowled for mixed doubles with Ervin’s parents and later with friends. The square dancing club, Prairie Twisters was another arena where both participated in leadership. Through the Prairie Twisters they had the opportunity to travel overseas Square dancing and bowling brought them friends from far and wide, many which developed into a life-long comradery. Camping and boating trips continued to expand that circle of friends.

Ervin and Betty were supportive and active in their community, desiring to be a part of creating a great place for all to live. They were a part of the board that started the local Senior Center. After Ervin’s death, Betty participated and lead activities, games, and events at the senior center multiple days a week. She spent many a day crocheting, quilting, completing circle a words, crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles in her downtime. Her sewing skills led to many beautiful quilts, table runners and quillows (which her grand children utilized on many a bus ride). Through the years Betty handed down her crocheting skills to many grandchildren and great grands.

Betty’s life leaves us with a legacy of strong character, fun, laughter, family, and community. She was a wife, mother, and home maker. She was very talented and tidy in all she did.

Betty is preceded in death by her mother Hattie Darity and step-father Pat Darity; her husband, Ervin Lee and son Victor Lee; siblings Rodney, Charles, and Ellen.

Betty is survived by siblings Willa Dean (Deanie), Priscilla, and Donald Patrick (Micky). She is survived by Lana Sue (Elvin), Terral Lynn (Sherry), Zela, seven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Betty may do so to Walsh Healthcare Center or to Walsh EMS.