Betty Joanne Lamke

Posted

Betty Joanne Lamke, 91 years, of Ignacio, Colo., passed on Feb. 9 in Apache Junction, Ariz., due to pneumonia complications with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Betty was born May 12, 1926, in Noblesville, Ind., the only child to Herbert and Rachel (Goodnight) Tishner. In 1929, the family moved to Colorado. Betty graduated from Pagosa Springs High School and later attended Adams State University in Alamosa, where she met her late husband, Orville Lamke.

While growing up in Pagosa Springs, Betty worked at the coffee shop owned by her parents, Elk Horn Café. Betty very much enjoyed talking and laughing with local friends and customers at the cafe.

Betty loved going on fishing trips to Mexico with her late husband, dad and mother. Each year, they would all travel to Apache Junction, Ariz., where they would stay during late fall and winter months, returning to Colorado in the spring.

In the early 1980s, Betty worked at Animas Veterinary Clinic of Durango as Dr. Melcher’s right-hand vet assistant. Betty then spent time working for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe HUD rehab program. At the conclusion of the program, Betty was hired in the finance department, where she worked for nearly 20 years before retiring. During her retirement, Betty volunteered at the SUCAP Senior Center in Ignacio for a number of years, which afforded her the opportunity to help the organization and visit with her many friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Tishner; mother Rachel Tishner; and husband Orville Lamke. Betty had no children, but was a caring mom for many pets adopted from the Humane Society. Her pets were her children in life.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m. at Hood Mortuary , 1261 East Third Ave., Durango, Colo.. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the La Plata County Humane Society.