Betty Koecher

Betty Jean Matz took her first breath in this world in Madison County, Iowa on November 28, 1925. She was the firstborn of her parents, Henry John and Gladys May Matz. Four years later a baby brother, Claude, joined the family who was by then living in Mason City, Iowa. There, Betty grew to adulthood and survived both the great depression and WWII.

After high school she went to Police Dispatch training school in Storm Lake, Iowa where she met and married Bob Williams, a terrific jazz pianist. About a year later their daughter, Elizabeth “Libby” was born and the family moved to Iowa City, Iowa.

The year 1954 found Betty and daughter moved to Denver, Colorado where she worked at the VA Hospital as a stenographer and later as a court reporter at Lowry Air Force Base. Betty remarried Merlin “Kek” Koecher whose occupation was co-pilot with United Airlines and jet pilot with the US Air National Guard.

Two daughters were born to them, Suzanne and Amy. After Kek’s death via car accident, Betty and her children settled in Littleton, Colorado where she worked as an Administrative Assistant bringing much value to many through her strong work ethic and varied abilities.

In 2015 at age 89, Betty became a resident of Hallmark Nursing Home in Denver as dementia and other illnesses had become too much to handle at home. She had a very strong spirit and brought joy and laughter to nurses, residents and other staff members who treasured her. Betty was an artist. She had the freedom in her last 6 years at Hallmark to create beautiful artwork which filled 7 large binders. Everyone loved that about her. She made her final journey peacefully from this life’s realm on October 14, 2021.

In addition to her daughters, Betty leaves behind many grand, great grand and great-great grandchildren.

Betty’s love of music, art, education and nature has had a profound effect on her family and continues to resonate to the generations that come after her.  We just want to say, “Mom and Granny….we love you and are so grateful for your amazing life and the way you lived it on your own terms. Thank you.”