Betty Frye

Obituary Betty was born at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins May 2, 1920, to Harry and Helen Dimmitt and passed peacefully at the age of 97 on April 4, 2018. Betty lived in Fort Collins for most of her long life. She grew up in a neighborhood near the CSU campus where many other kids her age were raised. She reminisced how she was a tomboy by nature, using the iron fences for gymnastics and "the Oval" as their playground. According to Betty, her father, Harry Dimmitt, "was surprised I wasn't muscle-bound by the time I graduated from high school." She was the first person in her family to ski. She skied at Hidden Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park and her parents used to pull her behind the car on skis in the Poudre Canyon. Her father opened the Campus Shop, at the corner of Laurel and College, in 1910. While she was determined to start working at the shop as a teenager, her father wanted her to enjoy high school and wouldn't let her work until after she graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1938. She made 25 cents per hour! Betty attended the University of Colorado and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in business. She was a life-long lover of bridge, so much so that she skipped classes in college to play. Betty played bridge with friends the week before she passed. During her college years, she made many friends with whom she remained close until the end of her life. Betty's business degree proved to be valuable for the family business, as she eventually owned and managed the Campus Shop until it closed in 1976. She was one of a very few women business owners and managers in the Fort Collins area at that time. Betty became a local leader in the women's business sector, and was the chair woman for several committees promoting retail business in northern Colorado. Betty's first husband, Rodney Walker, was recruited to be a ski instructor in the 10th Mountain Division during WW2. Betty had many stories about living in the mountains in the early 1940's as Rodney trained at Camp Hale near Leadville. Her family learned to ski as children and skiing is now deeply embedded in her family's culture, as all surviving family members greatly enjoy all aspects of Colorado outdoor activities. She divorced Rodney in the late 1950's. Later she married Karl Frye, built a home in Red Feather Lakes and had many adventures traveling in their motorhome. They moved to Arizona for Karl's health. Betty was a shining example of an independent woman and her family had always respected her for that. She balanced that independence with an unequivocal love and devotion for her family. She had a kind-hearted personality and somehow always had enough room in her heart to welcome new people into her life. Betty had a smile that lit up the room and a classic western sense of humor. She carried that humor into her final days when she gracefully passed away with the love and support of her entire family by her side. Betty is survived by her children, Sandy Walker (Ken Ecton) and Thomas Walker ( Gale Loveitt) grandchildren Troy Hoover (Jodi), Darcy Pottle (Mike), Jeremy Walker (Jay Macintosh) and Ayla Walker (Jason Sullivan), and her great-grandchildren Reid and Bailey Hoover, Luke and Shanin Pottle. Another great-grandchild is expected in August. Karl's daughters Susie Burrows and Marianne Cahur also survive. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Harry Dimmitt and son, Charles Michael "Butch" Walker. There will be an open house in Betty's honor at Rigden Farm (2350 Limon Dr.) on Sunday, May 6th, from from 11 - 1 PM. In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made to the Open Door Mission or the charity of your choice, in care of Vessey Funeral Service. SERVICES Celebration of Life Reception Sunday, May 06, 2018 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Rigden Farms 2350 Limon Drive Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 Read More Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Betty Frye