Bette Jean Dobson

Bette Jean Kyes went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on
Saturday, July 15, 2017 at the age of 87 while a resident at Columbine
West Health & Rehab in Fort Collins, CO. Bette was born on the family
farm, north of Big Springs, Nebraska on December 16, 1929. She is the
second of three girls. The family was active in the Big Springs United
Methodist Church. Bette loved her barnyard cats and had one that sat on
her shoulder every day as she did her chores. She attended the rural
district school through the eighth grade. Bette and her older sister rode a
horse to school every day. After finishing at the rural school, she
attended Big Springs High School where she graduated in 1947. The
caption under her senior picture read "short, sweet, and studious". A
"Round Robin" letter continues to this day with all the girls in her
graduating class. After high school Bette enrolled at Nebraska
Wesleyan University where she earned a two-year teaching certificate.
She taught at the elementary school in Ogallala Nebraska until she was
married.

When Bette was fourteen, she suffered a ruptured appendix. There was
a young man a few years older than she who, though he was not allowed
to visit, came to the hospital often just to be near her. His name was
Marion Dobson. On September 23, 1950 they were married in Kearney,
NE. He was the love of her life. Bette and Marion have four daughters,
four grandsons, four granddaughters, and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Bette & Marion raised their family primarily in Sterling, CO. They spent
time attending Faith United Methodist Church, then became members of
Christ United Methodist Church. They moved to Fort Collins in 1983.
She attended numerous Bible studies over the years and participated in
the Women's Group at Westminster Presbyterian until she her health
declined. She spent most of her career doing clerical work in a variety of
offices in Sterling and Fort Collins retiring from Columbine West in
December 1994. Bette was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and
sister. She was a blessing to everyone she knew and had a sweet
disposition and a witty sense of humor.

Bette enjoyed very good health most of her life. She and Marion went
for daily walks and were active with friends and family. They attended
sporting events, school and church programs for their grandchildren, and
even their great-grandchildren. They spent winters in Texas after their
retirement until health issues prevented it, but remained active with
friends and family from their home in Ft. Collins. She went to breakfast
weekly with a group of neighbor ladies who continued to visit her after
she became a resident of Columbine (thank you Yvonne, Donna, Donna
and Carol). After Bette's health began to decline, they were less able to
travel, but still got together with friends for coffee nearly every day.
Marion was faithful to take her out as often as she was able.

Bette is survived by her husband of almost 67 years, Marion Dobson of
Fort Collins; four daughters, Cheryl Rupert and husband, John, of
Greeley, Karen Hoozee and husband, Larry, of Snyder, Dixie Gallucci
and husband, Ray, of Loveland, and Debbie Campbell and husband,
Doug, of Fort Collins; one sister, Leota Romick and husband, Don, of
Greeley; 8 grandchildren, Jason Rupert of Fort Collins, Kristen
Schneider and husband, Troy, of Cope, Justin Hoozee and wife,
Michelle, of Stoneham, Laura Ziminsky and husband, Jon, of Loveland,
Jamie Frey of Windsor, Jacob Campbell and wife, Candra, of Windsor,
Jared Campbell and wife, Amy, of Fort Collins, and Kendra King of
Loveland, and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her
parents Howard and Emma Roberts Kyes, sister Bonnie Roberts, and an
infant son Kelvin Dobson.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the compassionate
care "Miss Bette" received from the staff and volunteers at Columbine
West and briefly from Pathways Hospice. We will be forever grateful
for their love and support.

A service will be held for Bette on Saturday, July 22, 2017, 3 pm at
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1709 West Elizabeth Street, Fort
Collins, CO 80521. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Sterling
will take place at a later date.