Betty Wilson

Betty Wilson, 91 of Hulett, Wyoming passed away on March 5, 2024 at Crook County Hospital, surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty was born on May 29, 1932, in Atwood Indiana to Wesley and Ethel Orcutt. She grew up on a farm outside of Atwood, Indiana with her sisters, Helen and Genevieve and her brothers, Bob and Albert.

Betty was the baby of the family and had many stories of life on the farm, especially of Albert and her adventures with him. When her sister, Helen, married Jerry Jervis, a Baptist Minister, they ended up at the First Baptist Church in Hulett, Wyoming.

It was the summer of 1953 and Betty had graduated high school and was eager to spend a summer visiting her sister and seeing what adventures lay ahead of her. At a church social, Betty caught Ted Wilson's eye.

Being a pilot, he thought the best way to impress her would be to take her flying. That day sparked the flame of their lifelong love.

They married on April 8, 1955 at the Baptist Church where they had met. They built a home on the ranch across the creek from Ted's parents and raised three daughters, Patty, Brenda and Barbi.

Betty was adventurous, strong and not afraid to take on just about anything. She and Ted farmed the family homestead five miles east of Hulett and raised a number of different breeds of cattle.

In 1973, they bought a drive-in restaurant at the gate of Devils Tower. Betty became the primary for the drive-in, while Ted held down the ranch.

Always, they worked together, helping each other out and keeping track of their three daughters, who could be a handful! Betty managed the bookwork side of life and together they worked long hours to provide a wonderful life for their family and countless adventures that shaped the family's life.

Later on, Betty took on the position of business manager for the Devils Tower Natural History Association.

To us, her three daughters, Betty was a true example of loyalty, love, strength of character, kindness, acceptance and true grit. The lessons she taught us have shaped our lives in countless ways and we will carry her with us in our hearts forever.

Betty is survived by her daughters, Patty Wilson of Box Elder, South Dakota and her daughter, Trisha (Tate) Novotny; Brenda Johnson (Tom) of Spearfish, South Dakota, sons Derrik (Brie) Garhart and Chris (Jamie) Garhart and step-daughter Heather Robinson-Johnson; Barbi Sowerwine of Hulett and her children E.O. (Allie) Sowerwine, V. and Sarah (Brennan) Fitzgerald. Betty had 12 great-grandchildren who brought her much joy.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, parents, Wesley and Ethel Orcutt, siblings, Helen, Genevieve, Bob and Albert, son-in-law E.O. Sowerwine IV, her grandson, Adi Knodell and countless other relatives and friends.

In accordance with Betty's wishes, her cremation has taken place and a celebration of Betty's life was held on March 9, 2024 at the First Baptist Church in Hulett.