Bette Jolynn Patterson first touched the world when she was born the third daughter to John and Evelyn Miller on her father's birthday, June 13, 1956 in Akron, Colorado.  She began her journey on a swift flight to Children's hospital weighing only 4lbs during the time when the only means of communication for status updates were written letters.  It was this beginning that proved how incredibly tough she truly was and helped shape her outlook on life without a single complaint.

Through her younger years, Bette developed a relentless work ethic by contributing to the family cause, which might possibly have been her first love, farming.  Growing up north of Otis with her two sisters Judi and Connie, she graduated from Otis high school in 1974, and went on to achieve a Bachelor of Science from Adams State University, followed by a career as a lab technician at the Yuma District Hospital.  It was during her post-secondary years that her 'on again off again' relationship with her soon to be husband, Lonny, commenced.  Lonny chased Bette for years, courting her with ski trips, co-ed softball, Otis football games, and helping on the Miller family farm, before they finally said 'I do' on January 15 ^th 1983.

Shortly after they married, Sara came along in November of 1983, and so did the construction of their home which they built with their own hands and the help of their close friends. Lonny and Bette bought their first piece of farmland in 1984 just east of their home. Amy entered the picture in January of 1986, but the family was not yet complete without the addition of John in 1993 and Haley in 1996.  With four children and a growing farm, there was always plenty to do and places to go.  The kids spent countless hours in the tractor growing up as sidekicks for Bette as she was farming their hard-earned acers. Bette took pride in attending her children's sporting events, hosting team dinners, and spectating at their extracurricular activities.

As time passed, summer days were often supplemented with golf games surrounded by family and friends in Yuma and Akron. Lonny and Bette played in and won countless couples golf tournaments in Eastern Colorado.  She found joy in spending time with and giving her love to her four grandchildren: Charlee, Evelyn, Thomas, and Rudee. Her final days were spent surrounded by them along with Lonny, and all four children.  She left this world to be with her Lord and savior on the morning of Wednesday October 24 ^th , 2018 in her home after a three-year battle with cancer.  Despite her mild demeanor, she insisted on selflessly helping and serving others, and held a compelling presence in the Otis community, and especially in her beloved church.  Bette was preceded in death by her grandparents Elza and Edna Root, and Susanna and Peter Miller, her parents John and Evelyn Miller, uncle Art and wife Zelda, aunts Mollie (Roy) Lamb, and Elna a.k.a. 'Aunt Steve' (Roy) Kinnison, and two infant brothers. Bette is survived by her loving husband Lonny, sisters Judi (Bob) Leisk, and Connie Miller; children Sara (Jon) Botkin, Amy (Nick) Grantham, John Patterson, and Haley (Andrew) Perry; Grandchildren Charlee Grantham, Evelyn Botkin, Thomas Grantham, and Rudee Botkin; Cousins Elza Ann (Richard) Parker, Cheryl (Ron) Hicklin, and Herb (Joyce) Lamb; mother and father-in-law John and Marcelyn Patterson, brother-in-law Jerry (Cheryl) Patterson, and sister-in-law Lana (David) Spurling, and many more adored nieces, nephews, and brothers and sisters in God.  She is defined by her family, her farm, her kind and genuine character, and her incomparable work ethic; and she will always hold a special place in the hearts of her family and friends.  Services held by St. Paul Lutheran Church in Otis, CO on Monday October 29 ^th 2018 officiated by Pastor Scott Bieker, interment at the Otis Cemetery, arrangements made by Bowin Funeral Home.  Memorial donations in Bette's name to the 'Bette Patterson Memorial Fund'.