Elizabeth "Betty" Lillard

        Elizabeth Anne (“Betty”) Lillard passed away on October 27, 2026. Betty was born in Milwaukee, WI., on August 12, 1934, to parents, Walter and Bernice Flueck. She was welcomed by brother John and later joined by sister Marty. Betty grew up in Elm Grove, a suburb of Milwaukee. She had a beloved pet, Heidi, a goat. One of her favorite hobbies was downhill skiing starting at age 3. She enjoyed being an accomplished skier for many years, well into late adulthood.

        Betty graduated from high school in 1952. She was an active student, participating in the ski club, a creative writing/literary club, a choir and a girl’s club. She enjoyed telling friends she went to high school with the grandson of the co-founder of Harley-Davidson. Betty did not become a Harley rider as a result.

        After high school Betty attended Iowa State University (then “Iowa State College”) graduating in 1956. She was in the school’s design department and was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She served as a student contributor to the “The Iowa Homemaker.” Records note her specific talent and involvement in handling “Color Rough” layouts and graphic design production where she was credited with “adding sparkle” to the magazine’s presentation. In 1956 Betty was one of four individuals from Iowa State College who were inducted into the national organization, Phi Kappa Phi, for “students displaying exceptional academic excellence and high character.”

         Prior to her graduation Betty was recruited by Joyce Hall to join Hallmark Cards in its design department in Kansas City. She moved to Kansas City and became a designer and artist of greeting cards.

         During her career with Hallmark Cards she met and married Ross W. Lillard in 1959. Over the next few years they welcomed two children, John Ross in 1960 and Susan Grace in 1963.

         Betty became an active docent with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City in 1963. As a docent she devoted much time and energy to the world of fine arts for 53 years. She gave tours for all areas of the museum. She particularly enjoyed introducing young people, including her grandchildren, to the Nelson’s large art collection. Her primary technique was based on questioning the audience as to their reaction and then explaining the different point of view the artist may have had. At home she enjoyed plants and gardening.

        In order to be nearer to family, Betty and Ross moved from Kansas City to a suburb of Denver in 2017.

        Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Bernice Flueck, her brother John and her sister Marty. She is survived by her husband, Ross Lillard, children John (Brenda), Susan (Mark) Reckers, grandchildren Sara, Katie, Hannah, Andrew (Minh), Grace (Rothin), Dawson, Adam, two great grandchildren, Ross and Max, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

         A memorial gathering will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., November 14, 2026, at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial, CO 80122.

        Memorial contributions may be directed to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.