Elizabeth "Betty" Pelham

Elizabeth “Betty” Pelham age 74, of Denver, Colorado passed away on May 6, 2022 peacefully in her sleep at her home.  She was born on March 5, 1948 in the small town of Osmond, Nebraska and was the daughter of the late Willis and Lorraine Nissen. She was raised on a family farm with her younger sister Diane and brother Jerry.  She graduated from Osmond High School and continued her education in Nursing at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota.

She moved to Denver, Colorado in 1970 and began working as a Registered Nurse at Rose Medical Center.  She worked as an RN for 36 years before retiring in 2006. In 1977, Betty married Bob Pelham in Estes Park, Colorado and together they shared 42 years of marriage before Bob passed away November 21, 2019.  In 1980 she became pregnant and gave birth to Nicole that year.  She would say the best days of her life were her wedding day, the day she found out she was pregnant and the day Nicole was born.

Betty had multiple interests during her life. She loved to travel to new places.  Some of the places she got to visit were England, Ireland, France, Italy and Alaska. She traveled with family to Hawaii twice.  The islands were a relaxing retreat for her as she loved the ocean and the beach.  She enjoyed bowling, golfing, gardening, and watching classic TV shows & movies.

She was a very active member of Saint Philip and Saint James Episcopal Church.  At the church she served as an active member of the Altar Guild for several years, served one term on the Vestry and baked delicious altar bread for communion for many years.   Starting in 2020 she volunteered for Food For Thought from time to time and really enjoyed the music as she worked to pack bags of food for kids on Friday mornings.

Betty was preceded into eternal life by her husband Bob, parents and her younger brother, Jerry Nissen.  In addition to her daughter Nicole Simmons, and Sister Diane Laff; Betty is survived by her four step-children: Brian Wyatt, Diana Adams, Michelle Crimm, & Jacquie Pelham, nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held on June 8, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Saint Philip and Saint James Episcopal Church, 2797 South Lowell Boulevard,  Denver, Colorado 80236. The family invites everyone to join them for a Reception immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested a memorial contribution in Betty’s name to Food For Thought ( www.foodforthoughtdenver.org ) or Saint Philip & Saint James Episcopal Church ( www.stpjschurch.org ).