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Betty Lou (Betsy) Schenck

May 12, 1927 - March 1, 2015

Betty Lou (Betsy) Schenck (nee Schade), of Carbondale, Colorado, died on Sunday, March 1, 2015, after a brief illness; she was surrounded by her loving family and her husband of 63 years, Robert “Bob” Schenck. Betty was 87 years old.

Betty was born on May 12, 1927 in Trinidad, Colorado to Ruth and Ralph Schade. Betty and her two siblings, Alan and Alice, spent their early years in Albuquerque where she attended Ernie Pyle Middle School before going on to Albuquerque High School (class of 1945). Betty completed two years at the University of New Mexico, before graduating with a BA in Music from Colorado College in 1949. Betty fondly remembered playing at sorority and fraternity parties to offset expenses through college, and she continued to be an entertainer for over 70 years. Betty left for New York to play classical piano, but she eventually moved to Denver where she met her future husband, Bob Schenck, while looking for a place to use as a recital hall. Betty and Bob were married at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Denver on December 17, 1951.

Betty and Bob then moved to New Braunfels, Texas where all six Schenck children were born. However, Betty and Bob could not stay away from Colorado for long, and they moved the family back to Carbondale in 1968, where they made Missouri Heights their home. Betty spent a wonderful 25 years teaching music at Colorado Mountain College and during her time there she received her M.A. in Music from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1991. Betty was loved by students of all levels and influenced many with her music and stage productions in the Roaring Fork Valley. Fiddler on the Roof, The Mikado, Oklahoma, Cabaret, H.M.S. Pinafore, and The Sound of Music comprise a short list of many musicals performed under the guidance of Betty Lou at the Crystal Theater in Carbondale. Betty also loved Sundays at St. Barnabas Church where she combined worship with her love for music for many years, often playing the organ and always singing during the services. Betty will be remembered professionally as an excellent teacher, a talented performer, and a leading figure in the arts community, but she is best remembered for her loving smile, infectious laughter, and joy for life.

Betty is survived by her husband, Bob, and their loving children, Susan Schenck of Denver (husband Ed Drummond, granddaughter Meriel), Barbara Hale of Grand Junction (husband Russell, grandsons Robert, David, and Jonathan), Bobby Schenck of Albuquerque (wife Tricia, grandchildren Lillian, Augustus, Helen, George, and Marian), Patty Naft of Paonia (husband Skip Naft), Paula Byra of Denver (husband Andy Byra, grand daughter Betsy), and John Schenck of Carbondale (wife Kellie and grandchildren Dara, Rand, Paul, and Dayton) and younger sister Alice Hofer (nieces Laurie, Carrie, and Holly).

Funeral services are scheduled for noon on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church (546 Hyland Park Dr., Glenwood Springs) with a reception to follow at the Rivers Restaurant (2525 S Grand Ave, Glenwood Springs) from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Betty’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to Betty’s singing group “The Zingers” at Alpine Bank, or to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.