Betty Lee Wallin

Betty Lee McPherson Wallin was born August 4, 1917, in Rapid River, Michigan, to Robert James McPherson and Wilhelmina Winter. Betty often lamented the loneliness that came with being an only child, but she held onto fond memories of summers spent on Lake Michigan with her maternal grandparents and a special bond with her dog, Buddy. She was the valedictorian of her 1935 class at Rapid River High School and was awarded a scholarship to Michigan State University, where she graduated in 1939 as part of a small percentage of women among her generation to attend college.

 Betty met her future husband, Leroy Oliver Wallin, “Wally,” at a summer camp in Minnesota, where he led a dance band. She worked in Baltimore, Maryland for two years after graduation before Wally proposed. Betty and Wally were married in 1941 at the Lutheran Church in Watertown, Minnesota. It was in Watertown where their daughters Carol Ann (1944) and Linda Jean (1947) were born.

 The couple stayed in Minnesota until 1954, when Wally became part owner of the Big Horn County Bank and they moved to Hardin, Montana. There, Betty worked for 10 years as a social worker. They became avid golfers, and Betty grew to be a prize-winning bridge player. Upon Wally’s retirement the couple moved to Billings, Montana to be near Carol’s family and they traveled often to Littleton, Colorado to visit Linda’s family. An involved grandmother and talented chef and baker, Betty hosted many family Christmases where she prepared elaborate Swedish holiday meals, and she taught cooking and sewing classes for her granddaughter’s local 4-H club. Some of her most beloved recipes, passed down to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, included mincemeat tarts, cinnamon buns, and spicy pickles.

 Betty and Wally wintered in Oceanside, California and Scottsdale, Arizona. After Wally died in 1994, Betty continued to spend winters in Arizona until 2002, when she moved to Naples, Florida to be near Carol and Linda, who were wintering there with their husbands. Betty delighted in living independently at Arbor Trace, where she continued to win bridge tournaments, met a revered companion, Charlie, and survived multiple hurricanes. Fiercely independent, Betty continued to drive and live on her own until the age of 102. When it became clear in the Spring of 2024 that she would outlive both of her daughters, Betty moved to Castle Rock, Colorado to be closer to other family members. Until the end, Betty remained smart, spunky, and tech-savvy, enjoying books on her iPad, emailing with family, and checking her bank account daily.

 Betty died peacefully at 107 years old at Brookside Inn in Castle Rock on Sunday, November 17, 2024—answered prayers, as she was a devout Christian who had been ready to meet her Lord for many years. She is survived by son-in-law Walter Degnan; grandson Gregory (JoAnn) Degnan and great-grandsons Paul and Samuel; granddaughter Jennifer Degnan (David) Smith, great-grandson Daniel, and great-granddaughter Emma; grandson Scott (Brittany) Degnan and great-granddaughters Charlee and Laynee; son-in-law Robert Easterly; granddaughter Sara (Jeff Alpen) Wallin Easterly and great-granddaughters Violet and Olive; granddaughter Amy (Ryan) Reed and great-grandsons Evan and Garrett. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years Leroy Wallin; her daughters Carol Degnan and Linda Easterly; and her great-granddaughter Kenna Wallin Reed.

 In lieu of flowers, the family would sincerely appreciate donations in Betty’s name to the charity of your choice or any of the organizations that provided stellar, loving care to Betty in her final season of life:

• Dignity Hospice of Colorado, 400 East 84th Ave. W-202; Thornton, CO 80229
• Brookside Inn, 1297 S Perry St.; Castle Rock, CO 80104
• Avow Hospice Services of Naples, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane; Naples, Florida 34105

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at Grace Chapel Castle Rock, 935 Evalena Rd, Castle Rock, CO 80108. A separate burial service will take place in Spring 2025, when Betty's remains will be laid to rest in Billings alongside Wally.