Greeley, CO - Betty Jean Ottesen, 94, of Greeley, passed away at Greeley Village on December 18, 2025 with family at her bedside. She was born July 17, 1931 on the family homestead outside of Fort Lupton to John Clifford and Dakota Ellen (Haney) Warner where she grew up.

Betty attended through the 8th grade at Four Way Country School and then four years at Fort Lupton High School where she graduated in 1949. She went on to attend Colorado State Teachers College (UNC) for two years. On July 1, 1951, she married Frank Glenn Ottesen at the First Baptist Church in Fort Lupton.

Betty was a devoted homemaker, wife and mother and began working at Precision Engineering in Denver as their bookkeeper. She also managed the books for the family business, Brighton Grain Company. She had a deep interest in Southwestern arts and crafts, which grew as she acquired vast knowledge and expertise in Navajo pottery, rugs, Kachina dolls, and Indian jewelry. She began as a volunteer with the Denver Museum of Natural History in their gift shop and would later become the manager. Betty was a respected asset at the different Southwestern Indian shops she worked at; the Deer Dancer in Larimer Square and Eagle Plume's in Allenspark.

Volunteering and service were a big part of their lives. She dedicated time as Secretary to the Brighton 27J School Board in the 1970's, served as Den Mother and Campfire Girls leader, PEO Chapter FA in Brighton and Chapter CR in Greeley for a total of 70 years, was very active at First Congregational UCC in the handbell choir and served as a deaconess and on numerous boards and committees, a member of the Assistance League and Bargain Box volunteer and she and FG were instrumental in the Indian Market in Santa Fe for over 30 years. She was a natural caretaker, helping many family members, including her mother and mother-in-law.

Thankful to have shared her life are her children; Margo (John) Buckner, Marsha (Gene) Gilluly and Mark (Scott) Ottesen, six grandchildren; Sarah (Ross) Holmes, Rachel (Dan) Penner, Sterling (Tayler) Masat and Royal Masat, Michelle Gilluly-Beham, Jason (Morgan) Gilluly, nine great-grandchildren; Maddie, Weston, and Crockett Holmes, Michael, Sean and Jared Penner, Stetson and Chloe Masat and Reagan Gilluly, her brother, Robert L. "Bob" Warner and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, FG, on December 28, 2024 as well as her siblings; Anna Sickler, Leonard Warner, Mary Hughes and her twin brother, Bill Warner.

Betty's Life Celebration will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Generations Church, 3600 W. 22nd Street, Greeley. Memorial gifts may be made to "Rocky Mountain Conservancy" or "Bristol Hospice" in care of Young's Funeral Service, 102 E. Charlotte Street, Johnstown, CO 80534. Condolences may be shared at youngsfunerals.com.