Betty Lou Bartran

Betty Lou Bartran was born Oct. 3, 1925, in Pavillion, Wyo., and died April 1, 2008, in Fort Collins. Betty was the eldest child of Thelma and William Bartran and sister of William Bartran, a Fort Collins builder. Her husband, Al Welke, preceded her in death. She is survived by four children, Penny Bolton McDill, Ruth Welke Ferguson, Ann Welke Forster and Paul Welke; eight grandchildren, who knew her as "GB" for Grandma Betty; and four great-grandchildren. During the years of the depression, Betty Lou's father worked on major irrigation projects in several western states, which meant that the family moved frequently. Betty Lou attended Jane Ivinson Hall, a preparatory school for girls in Laramie, Wyo. The building is now the site of the Laramie Plains Museum. Betty Lou took a special interest in the museum collection and contributed photographs and other materials representing her time there as a student. Betty married Albert H. Welke on Jan. 19, 1955. He was a petroleum engineer with Caltex Pacific Indonesia. He worked in oil exploration in many countries. Betty Lou accompanied him on these assignments and had a great personal interest in and involvement with the people and cultures where they lived. She taught English as a second language and opened her home to local students, which was a rewarding experience for Betty Lou and the students alike. Internment of ashes will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Grandview Cemetery. Following at 2 p.m., family and friends will celebrate the life of Betty Lou Bartran Welke at a memorial service at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, Betty Lou requested that memorial contributions be sent to the Laramie Plains Museum, 603 Ivinson Ave., Laramie, WY, 82070-3299. Condolences to the family may be sent to bohlenderfuneralchapel.com.