Betty June McKinney Eavenson, 102, passed away on Oct. 22, 2024, after a fall and brief stay in the hospital and San Luis Care Center. Until then she had lived in the care of her daughter. Betty was born July 10, 1922, in Lamar, Colo., to H.L. McKinney and Eva Light McKinney. She was the second of 5 children, Harold Jr., Donald, Jodi and Jimmy.
After graduating from high school (her mother claimed she never received less than an A throughout school), she worked as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone. She continued to work her way through school, attending Colorado University and nurses training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver. While there she met and later married a young returning sailor, Walter George Eavenson. They were married in 1947, spending the next 68 years together Linda and Vern were born in Denver. Later when the family had moved to Sterling, Ed was born.
Again, Public Service transferred, at Walt's request, them to Alamosa in 1958. She also began working at the Alamosa hospital that year. Betty was very proud of being placed on the hospital Wall of Fame in 2017, having worked there for 28 years.
She and Walt built the family home themselves where they lived for 65 years. Many fond memories and friends were made camping, boating, water and snow skiing. Betty learned to water ski not knowing how to swim and later snow skiing in her fifties. Two very dear friends were Lois Milyard and Sarah Hupp. Betty always made holidays and birthdays special, cooking delicious meals for the entire family and anyone else who happened to be there.
In 1987 Walt suffered a debilitating stroke. Betty's skills helped them lead as normal a life as possible for many more years.
An avid reader her entire life, she especially enjoyed Colorado Talking Books when her eyesight failed. She was always generous and said, "give with a warm hand." Memorizing many famous quotes, she often quoted Longfellow, "Let us now be up and doing with a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, learn to labor and to wait."
Betty was looking forward to reuniting with Walt, her son Vern and grandson, David Foster who preceded her on the last Great Adventure.
Betty is survived by her siblings, Jodi, 95, and Jimmy, 93; daughter, Linda Eavenson, son and daughter-in-law, Ed and Susie Eavenson, grand children: Shereau Eavenson, Webb and Danielle Eavenson, Grace Foster, Claire and Derek Fritz, Vern Eavenson and nine great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held in Cedar Edge, Colo. Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes, and words of comfort for Betty’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com.
