Latasha Nichole Betterly-Byrd

Born July 2, 1987 in Manistique, MI to Lori Ann Osterhout-Huntwork and Gerald Betterly Jr. She grew up in Newberry, Hulbert, and the northern Lower Peninsula. She participated in youth ministries through the Methodist church throughout her teenage years and traveled with her bonus grandparents Don and Billie Jean Bodi to numerous places performing hurricane relief work. Latasha graduated from Petoskey High School in 2006 and immediately joined the Marine Corp.

Latasha was previously married and had two sons, Patrick Scott Byrd in 2008 and Blair Nicholas Byrd in 2015.

Latasha loved learning and earned multiple degrees. In 2009 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree studying Escrow, Real Estate and Property Management. In 2014 she earned another Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Macomb Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Pure Mathematics and minor in Biology at Wayne State University. In 2017 she received yet another Bachelor’s degree, this time in Science with a minor in Psychology from Washington State University College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences. In 2018 she earned an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology at Oakland University. In addition to her studies, Latasha worked as a statistician at the U.S. Census Bureau in Washington D.C. beginning in 2017, then moved on to work as a pretrial case manager in 2019. In July 2021 she joined the Denver Recruiting Academy. She graduated at the valedictorian in November 2021 and was employed as a deputy sheriff in the Denver County Sheriff Department. She was also active as a member of the Honor Guard.

Tasha was a caring, loving, self-motivated individual who was addicted to education and nature. Her charisma attracted all to love her instantly. She put 100% into all she did and all she loved.

She is survived by her sons Patrick Scott Byrd and Blair Nicholas Byrd; parents Lori Osterhout-Huntwork and Gerald (Pam) Betterly Jr.; bonus mom Angel (Josh) Bodi; grandmothers Cyndi (Norm) Dewitt of Hulbert and Josephine Betterly of Newberry; siblings Jacob (Aerianna) Betterly, Justin (Sam) Gugin, Charlie (Kristina) Huntwork, Christopher (Haley) Jollette, Rayme (Corrina) Jollette, Shayna (Devlin) Betterly, Dillion Betterly and Devon Betterly; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

She is predeceased by grandfathers David L. Osterhout Sr. of Curtis and Gerald Betterly Sr. of Newberry plus bonus grandparents Don and Billie Bodi of Newberry.

Public services will be held March 19 at 1 p.m. at the Hulbert American Legion Post 393. Any donations will go into an account for her sons, Patrick and Blair, in care of Cyndi Dewitt.

NEVER STOP LEARNING!!!

A visitation for Latasha will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229.

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