Betsey C. (Provines) Stoker

Betsey C. (Provines) Stoker

April 24, 1930 – Sept. 23, 2015

The Stoker/Varner family is sad to announce the passing of Betsey C. (Provines) Stoker, 85, at Collier Hospice Center in Wheat Ridge, Colo., on Sept. 23, 2015.

Betsey was born on April 24, 1930, in Rapid City, S.D., to Hill City, S.D., sawmill owner/operator, Omer E. Provines and Hill City, S.D., music/mathematics teacher, Eva E. (Stevens) Provines.

The family moved to Longmont, Colo., when Betsey was in primary school.

After high school, Betsey attended and graduated from Colorado A&M (CSU) in 1952 with a B.S. degree in Nutrition and Food Science. After completing her dietetics internship at the Colorado State Hospital in Pueblo, Colo., she went on to a rewarding and challenging 40 year career as a Registered Dietician at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colo., retiring in 1994.

Betsey married Marvin J. Stoker, in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 20, 1956, and from this union had one child – Penney L. (Stoker) Varner.

Betsey liked to garden, cook, dance, travel, play cards, bingo and slot machines. After retirement, Marvin and Betsey moved to Rawlins, Wyo., in 1998.

They both became active in the community and Betsey particularly enjoyed activities and outings offered at the Rawlins Senior Center and Community Center.

She loved to line dance, play card games, was the first on board for any casino trip, and went on many excursions with the Rawlins National Bank Heritage Club.

In addition, Betsey enjoyed her many hours of volunteering for the Rawlins Nursing Home Activities Department and attending the First Baptist Church. Rawlins and all the communities of Carbon County became a very special place for both Betsey and Marvin to call home.

During their time in Rawlins, the couple made countless friends, special memories, and was always treated with love, care, and compassion by everyone they met.

In 2007, the difficult decision was made to move to Denver due to necessity for both extended medical care and senior services.

Betsey was preceded in death by her parents, Omer E. and Eva E. (Stevens) Provines, of Longmont, Colo.; sister and best friend Nellie O. (Provines) Felps and brother-in-law Robert W. Felps of Ft. Lupton, Colo.; and brother and sister-in-law William and Doris Jean Stoker, of Denver, Colo.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years Marvin J. Stoker, of Denver, Colo.; daughter Penney L. (Stoker) Varner (John C.), of Encampment, Wyo.; brother-in-law Dale Stoker, of Pueblo, Colo.; nephew Karol Stoker (Cindy Ramthun), of Longmont, Colo.; nieces Janine (Stoker) Belson, of Denver, Colo.; Colleen (Stoker) Harvey (Scott), of Richland, Wash.; and Laura Stoker, of Pueblo, Colo..

A private family graveside service will be held at the Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont, Colo., on Oct. 16, 2015, where Betsey will be laid to rest next to her parents and sister. Condolences may be sent to Marvin Stoker, 1667 St. Paul Street #509, Denver, Colo. 80206.

In addition, the family respectfully requests donations in Betsey's memory be considered and sent to the Rawlins Senior Center, P.O. Box 111, Rawlins, Wyo. 82301. Memorial donations will be earmarked to help the Senior Center fulfill its goal of purchasing much needed new chairs for the center's dining room.