Betty L. Lancaster

From birth until death, Betty L. (Walker) Lancaster, 85, of Julesburg, Colorado, lived life to the fullest. She passed away on June 19, 2026, at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home in Julesburg among family and friends she knew and loved.

She is a Daughter, Grand Daughter, Sister, Niece, Cousin, Forever Friend, Horse Woman-Trainer-Shower-Racer-Rider among the Powder River Gals, High School Rodeo Barrel Racing Champion, School Bus Driver, Registered Nurse, Wife/Best Friend, Mother/Best Friend, Grandmother, Aunt, Great Aunt, Small Business Partner, Master Gardner, Cattle Woman, Fence Builder, "Best Carmel Twist Maker" and "That's American Fried Chicken Cook Around," All Around Good Human, some considered her a saint. She responded to and lived the virtue of kindness throughout her life and encouraged others to do the same.

Born to a Texas rice farming and rodeo family, Betty arrived on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 1941, in Goose Creek (now Baytown), Texas, to Otis L. Walker and Mary Lou (Garner) Walker. She grew up in Manvel, Texas. During childhood, Betty experienced loss and gain upon the birth of her sister and later the death of her mother. She and her sister spent time with her grandparents while their Daddy worked. Her Daddy met Mamie (Springs) Walker, a registered nurse, and married in the mid-40s. According to Betty, during 1947 and 1948, two cute baby brothers arrived whom she got to help care for and hold. Later, a cousin joined the siblings and became a brother within the family. During the 1950s, the Walker family moved to Wyoming, where they ranched, raised cattle, trained and raced registered quarter horses on the Powder River in Northeast Wyoming. She graduated in the Class of 1959 from Campbell County High School in Gillette, Wyoming. She participated in many activities, including 4-H, FFA, Mixed Chorus, Journalism, Pep Club, and Rodeo Club, where she held the high school rodeo title for barrel racing. Betty attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana, and graduated after meeting the man she would spend her life with in the early 60s.

On September 14, 1963, Betty married Gary Lancaster in Gillette, Wyoming. The couple lived in Laramie, Wyoming, while Gary finished college and served in the Army National Guard. Betty handled the ranch and small business accounting, gardened, cooked for hired hands, birthed, cared for and raised her three children, and counted her husband as her best friend and life partner-she consistently practiced nursing skills as a mother, assisted school nurses, as a rancher, and at medical/long term life facilities in Laramie and Gillette, Wyoming; Julesburg, Colorado; and Chappell, Nebraska. Betty and Gary ranched on the Powder River and Boulder, Wyoming, before moving to Springfield, Cortez, and Walden, Colorado, where Gary worked for Colorado State University Extension, farmed, and ranched. They held part ownership of the HLH Ranch in Encampment, Wyoming, for several years before returning to Gillette, Wyoming, in 1976. During 1988, they settled in Julesburg. Over time, they found themselves living, farming, ranching, and fixing their own fences again near Big Springs, Nebraska, while continuing their careers. They retired and moved south of Julesburg to practice land conservation with cattle, horses, and a donkey, fixed fences, and enjoyed participating in various activities throughout the area.

Betty earned her bachelor's degree and built a 43-year nursing career as a registered nurse. She finished her career in 2006 as Director of Nursing at the Sedgwick County Nursing Home. She served as a member of the Julesburg Garden Club, the United Methodist Women, the Sedgwick County Historical Society, Fort Sedgwick Park, and the Colorado Pony Express.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents; her step-mom, Mamie Walker; her brother, Michael Walker; and her cousin, Terry Jenkins.

She is survived by her husband, Gary; three children, Clinton Lancaster of Alaska, Gayle (Kelly) Monette of Julesburg, Colorado, and Teresa (Floyd) Howes of Windsor, Colorado; two grandchildren, Brooke Lancaster and Danielle Lancaster; her sister, Margaret Barnes of Colorado; her brother, Pat Walker of South Dakota; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends whom she dearly loved.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Julesburg United Methodist Church, with Pastor Aaron McClellan officiating. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Julesburg. The family invites those attending to wear something colorful and pen colorful stories to share in honor of Betty.

A memorial has been established in Betty's memory with the intent to support Sedgwick County health services and the Methodist church. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is in charge of arrangements.