Betty June Nelson (Abraham) Colpitts passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025 after a recent diagnosis of cancer.

Betty was born into a family of Irish and Swedish descent. She was born in her grandmother’s house (Genoa, Nebraska) on November 26, 1930 to John Edward Nelson and Ila Camilla (Gallagher) Nelson. She would later be followed by two brothers, Ronald “Tad” Nelson and Harlow “Wayne” Nelson.

In 1935, the family moved out west to Hilsboro, Oregon following her father’s work as a dairyman. Betty was raised on the farmlands of Oregon surrounded by animals and always a garden. Many of the family’s vacations were spent visiting relatives in Hood River. During a return trip to see her ailing grandmother in Nebraska, a 12 year-old Betty contracted polio. In spite of having been paralyzed from the waist down, she miraculously made a full recovery, without even so much as a limp. After several moves, the family settled in Siletz, Oregon where she graduated in 1949.

Betty would have five of her children on the Oregon coast and two in Northern California where she spent the majority of her life, starting in Maple Creek, California. She enjoyed Halloween potlucks, Christmas programs, eggs hunts and Easter functions at the school her children attended there. In the summer months there were picnics on the sandy banks of the Mad River. These much cherished traditions would continue well after the family moved to Blue Lake.

In 1979, Betty moved with her new love, James “Jim” Colpitts, into their first home together in Arcata. They would spend a total of 22 very happy years together. On May 28, 1990 they were wed in a small ceremony at the Chapel of the Bells, Reno, Nevada,

Betty was the adored mother of seven children: Connie Kaye (David Mather), Deborah “Deb” Ellen (Danny Heldt), Rhonda Lee (Sandy Battilocchi) Rick E. Abraham (Donna), Lila Jean (Jim Snider), Karen Marie (Dwayne Long), And Holly Sue (Dwight Stonebarger).

God’s Garden by Melissa Shreve

God looked around his garden and found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering,
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered, ‘Peace be Thine’.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

We love you, Mom!

She was the cherished grandmother of eleven: Scott Mather (Joanna), Jason Mather, Tanya Mather (Finance Eric Mueller), Emily Heldt (Rustin Bumgarner), Matthew Heldt (Marissa), Shannon Battilocchi, Jeff Battilocchi (Kristie), Jana White, Kelsey Snider (Jason Nelson), Amy Stone, and Kerissa Stonebarger.

She was the beloved great-grandmother of fifteen: Collin & Lee Mather, Carson, Aliyah, Trent, Bowen “Bo” & Isabella “Bella” Heldt, Elyse Bumgarner, Aleric Stone (Michaela), Stephanie Stone, Kayla & Bristol White, Bailey & Lane Nelson, and Cathan Stonebarger.

Betty’s life can best be expressed in family, cooking & baking, gardening, 94 years of sharing wisdom, followed by holidays, music, as well as watching football (Go Eagles!), figure skating, car racing, and westerns on T.V. She loved going to thrift stores and finding that great buy as well as having yard sales with her girls, and other family events such as much loved campouts.

Over the years, Betty enjoyed trips with destinations like San Francisco where she’d fondly recount seeing the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time, Fisherman’s Wharf, China Town, The Irish Museum, and a stay in a historic motor lodge. She would visit her brother Ron and his family in Modesto. Later, she would board her first flight, traveling with two daughters to Inola, Oklahoma as her youngest settled into her first new home. She made her way to Idaho, as well, when her son settled there.

Betty’s own home was surrounded by flowers for which she proudly received several awards from the Lazy J Ranch. Betty is fondly remembered there by her caring neighbors, Penny Schwartz, Trelle Osteen and Matthew Torres.

Betty is survived by her seven children, eleven grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her loved husband, Jim Colpitts, grandson Scott Mather, and brothers Tad & Wayne.

Per Betty’s request, there will be no viewing or services. Her family would like to thank Ayers Family Cremation for serving the community with such grace and care. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society in the name of Betty Colpitts.