Helen "Betty" Elizabeth Bunch

Helen Elizabeth Bunch, who went by the name of Betty, was born in March 6, 1925, at home, south of Manzanola, Colorado, during a blizzard so severe it kept the doctor away. On December 30, 2020, she passed away in Grand Junction, Colorado. She lived through the Great Depression and the severe dust storms reminiscent of the Dust Bowl days.

During World War II, Betty and her sister, Margaret; and mother, Daisy, worked on airplanes in Long Beach, California. She also worked at the famed Harvey House in La Junta as a Harvey Girl. In 1946, Betty married Simeon W. “Jim” Bunch in Raton, New Mexico, and they settled in La Junta, Colorado.

The couple bought a farm near Cheraw, and raised their family in the small community, where they were active with 4-H and were active members of the First Baptist Church in La Junta.

Our fun-loving mother was very fond of children. She was a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist, and a sponsor, along with Jim, of the Baptist Youth Group. She enjoyed family time, games, jigsaw puzzles, and picnics in the park. The farm became a favorite gathering place for the church young people, and hosted Halloween parties and summer fun. Betty was interested in crafts and created many beautiful items for her home and her family, including a number of afghans and a crocheted tablecloth. After the children were grown, and the family moved to Palisade, Betty worked part-time at Woolco.

Betty is survived by her four children, Kathy Cammack of Riverside, California, Alan Bunch of Palisade, Caroline Hemberger of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and Donna Snider of Grand Junction; and her brother, Delbert Norris. Betty has eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.