Mary (Bettie) Distin

Bettie was born September 6, 1927, to Richard and Mary Olmsted in Mille Lacs Lake, MN. She was the eldest child who enjoyed a loving family home with her parents and three younger brothers. Their home was stimulating with music, learning, love of nature and games. As her father Richard H. Olmsted, PhD was a Spanish professor, they moved to Columbia, MO where he taught at Stephen's College before moving to El Paso, TX, where Dr. Olmsted taught at UTEP. She loved the area, had many friends, played tennis, was Homecoming Queen, was in ROTC and theater. Bettie’s senior year in high school, the family moved to Kalamazoo, MI where her father taught at Kalamazoo College. She attended K College as a pre-med student, made more friends, continued in theater and other campus activities. During her junior year she met the love of her life, Robert E. Distin, recently home from serving our nation in the US Navy during WW II. They married her senior year in June 1948, graduated, worked, and started a family. The family then moved to Brookfield, WI where Bob worked many years for Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Company. Bettie was involved in both Girl and Boy Scouts as a leader, sang in Brookfield Methodist Church choir, taught Sunday School, played tennis, bowled, attended countless baseball and football games, gave wonderful children's birthday parties, and hosted family gatherings. She was a marvelous cook, seamstress, and a talented artist. Bettie loved dogs and cats, Christmas and all holidays, knitting, playing the piano, singing with her brothers, doing jigsaw puzzles, word games, comics, decorating, fishing, Northern WI, Mexico, its culture, and was fluent in Spanish until the end. She also lived in Phillips, WI for several years before returning to CO.

Bettie (Mary Elizabeth) Olmsted Distin passed away in Englewood, CO on November 11, 2021, on Veteran’s Day. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. Survived by her children: Shelley (Rick) Mathison; son, Mark (Reggie); Renee (Patrick) Pilcher; Drew (Lori); grandchildren: Jason, Erik (Amy), Becky (Matt); Derek (Laura), Kim, Craig; Shayna (Matt), Justin (Bonnie), Jacob; Hunter, Natalie (fiancé Drew), Pamela, Broder (Sydney); great-grandchildren: Emily; Luke, Jack, Calvin; Bella, Natalee, Finley; Phoebe, Lydia, Nicholas; Ava, Linden, Lyric, Jet and Eloise. Also, brother Jim (Lisa) and numerous nieces and nephews. Bettie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob (2007), brothers Richard and Bill, as well as grandchildren Garrett and Savannah.

Mom was a gracious and fun-loving lady who enjoyed people, old movies and songs, her family heritage, reading, doting on her family, and she loved her Lord. She said that He had always been so tender, gentle, and protective of her. As she “wound down,” Jesus grew more dear to her.

She loved all her tender caretakers. The family is so grateful to the wonderful staff of Caley Ridge Assisted Living as well as the care staff of Dignity Hospice for their loving, attentive care of our mom and for always being her delighted "audience" of her cherished memories and many life experiences. Mom remained positive, compassionate, interesting, clever, brave, and spunky always. She was and is, loved.

Interment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO.  A memorial to honor Bettie is planned for February 27, 2022.