Billie Beth (Rutherford) Trahern Hetrick of Walsh, Colorado, passed away December 15, 2010 at the age of 83. The oldest of four daughters of James and Goldie (Icenogle) Rutherford, she was born December 9th, 1927 in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. At age fourteen, her family moved to Baca County Colorado. Except for a short time in Fresno, California as a teenager, she was a Morton County Kansas and Baca County Colorado resident for the rest of her life. In her teens she worked at a California canning factory, the Walsh drug store, and helped her mother with the younger children. She also had fond memories of working with George and Pauline Murray feeding broomcorn harvest crews.

While attending school in Stonington, Colorado, she met Johnnie Trahern. They were married March 23, 1947 in Liberal, Kansas. Billie's sophomore high school education served her well. Blessed with common sense and pragmatism, she and Johnnie carved out a successful living in farming and ranching. It was a hard, tough, unpredictable, but good life that they made for their young family. While living near Stonington their first daughter Gail was born. Sherry, Debbie and Larry were born after Billie and Johnnie moved to the Pleasant Plains community in Morton County Kansas. She lost two babies at birth: Sondra Beth and Vickie Jo. She was a wonderful mother and homemaker. She and Johnnie taught their children right from wrong and responsibility through chores and hard work. For many years Billie made most of her children's clothes, including matching dresses for her girls. She served as a 4-H Leader and Morton County Fair clothing superintendent for many years. Billie was active in her children's school and 4-H activities. Her friends and family were always priorities. As a young homemaker, she was active in the monthly Thursday Luncheon Club, when club members brought potluck dishes to a club member's home for a fun day of food and visiting. Billie loved all aspects of farming and ranching. Whether it was taking meals to the field, driving the grain truck, killing the bindweed, or helping move the irrigation pipe, she could be depended on. She wasn't afraid to stick a bloated cow, kill a rattlesanke, or raise an orphan calf.

Billie especially enjoyed her grandchildren and their activities. She loved going to horse shows and ballgames. She enjoyed all family gatherings; Christmas was her favorite! Nothing gave her more joy than having her family around at Christmas time.

After forty-four wonderful years of marriage, Johnnie passed away, and she found love again with Keith Hetrick. When they married September 23, 1992, her family grew to include Keith's children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She opened her heart and home to Keith's family, developing a mutual sense of belonging for all. They came to know her for the incredibly loving person she was.

One of her hobbies was bowling. She bowled in mixed double leagues with Johnnie and Keith, then later, in the ladies league with many of her lifelong friends. She represented Kansas in the North American Bowling competition in Reno Nevada in 2001 finishing in thirteenth place. She was a member of the Methodist Church for years and more recently attended the First Baptist Church of Walsh.

People were drawn to Billie. She had many close friendships that spanned decades, and continued to make new friends easily. With never a cruel word for or about anyone, she was open and accepting of others, always seeing the very best in everyone. During the past year, Billie lived at Maplewood Homes where she enjoyed the fellowship and activities. She was the designated Thursday morning tour bus guide.

Billie was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Goldie Rutherford; her husbands, Johnnie Trahern and Keith Hetrick; two infant children, Sondra Beth and Vickie Jo; her sister, Laura Rae or Happy Dillon; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Billie is survived by the families of her sisters, Jimmie (Lee) Meinzer, Wynema (Emmett) Henderson; her brother-in-law Bill Dillon; her daughters, Gail (Pete) Frost, Sherry (Chris) Kunze, Debbie (Skip) Lloyd her son Larry (Judy) Trahern; grandchildren, Jeffrey, Kyle, Chase and Kayci Trahern, Bowie (Jayden) Frost and great-granddaughter Landry Frost, Cody and Travis Lloyd, step granddaughter Shea Lynn (Chris) Cook and step great grandchildren Tristan, Kinsey and Ethan Cook. She is also survived by Keith's children, Dennis, Rodney, Douglas, Janette, Greg and Deena and their families. Numerous nieces, nephews and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law also survive. Billie also cherished a host of friends!