Betty Ochsner passed away peacefully at her home in Longmont, Colorado Friday, August 11, 2017.

Betty Jean Ochsner was born April 17, 1924, in Elm Creek, Nebraska to John and Lily McCartney LeMaster. The youngest of five surviving children, she grew up there and graduated from Elm Creek High School in 1941.

She met Kenneth Ochsner while she was working as a switchboard operator in the Grand Island Ordinance Plant during World War II. They married in Corning, Iowa, on February 28, 1948. To this union were born a daughter, Rox Ann, and a son, Charles, who died in infancy. Kenneth preceded her in death in 1977.

Betty continued to work in the communications field for the rest of her working life, for Northwestern Bell in both Kearney and North Platte, and later for the Union Pacific Railroad in North Platte. She retired from the UP in 1986 with 20 years of service.

Betty had a life-long love of music, performing as a vocalist and pianist in high school. She enjoyed playing both piano and organ, and entertained the hospice caregivers who were called in during the last two weeks of her life.

She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in North Platte, having served as both an elder and a deacon as well as on the membership committee.

She served on the board of the UPRR Credit Union for 15 years.

She was a wonderful grandmother, taking all three of her grandchildren on numerous trips, both separately and as a group. Shad, Kael and Leif loved their trips with “Grammie”, and she loved sharing her passion for travel with them. She even took both boys to China “to carry her luggage”.

She took many tours and cruises, making it at least once to every continent except Antarctica.

Betty struggled with Alzheimer’s disease the last years of her life. She moved into a wonderful home in Longmont, Colorado in 2009 to be near her daughter. She delighted in walks at the lake near her home and in watching the activities of the birds and wildlife. Babies of any variety, human or animal, brought a twinkle to her eyes. She had a “little black dog” who brought her much joy even when she couldn’t remember its name.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Rox Ann Olson of Longmont, three grandchildren, Shad Olson (Kim) of Blackhawk, South Dakota, Kael Leigh (Scott) of Blue River, Colorado, and Leif Olson (Karen) of Longmont, as well as three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, Everett, Ray, Harold, and Bernard, her husband, and an infant son.

A local celebration of life will be held at Dawson Park on McIntosh Lake at 11:00 AM, Saturday August 26. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.

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