Betty Darel Lawson

Betty Darel Lawson of Casper passed away on Sunday, April 28th at Central Wyoming Hospice. She was 89. Darel, as she preferred to be called, had lived in Casper since late 1943. She had most recently resided at Maurice Griffith Manor in Paradise Valley and Mountain Plaza Assisted Living in Casper. Darel's family will forever be grateful for the love, compassion and care given to Darel by the staff at MGM, Mountain Plaza and, most recently, Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions.

Darel was born in Sunshine, Pennsylvania on October 11th, 1923. She was the second child and only daughter of Minnie Mae and George Dewey Ickes. Shortly after Darel's birth, her family moved to Akron, Ohio where her father worked for General Tire and Rubber. Darel attended local schools in Akron and graduated from Akron's East High School in 1942. A constant source of joy for Darel was attending all of her high school reunions. She missed only her 70th reunion in 2012.

Darel met her future husband, Dan A. Lawson of Casper, on a blind date in Akron, Ohio in the summer of 1943. Dan was in the United Stated Army and was preparing to depart for combat service in Italy. The couple relocated to Casper, and they were married on January 31st, 1944. While Dan was serving in Italy, Darel worked at the Casper Army Air Base in 1944 and early 1945. She took great pride in the contribution that she made to the war effort on the home front.

After the war, Darel and Dan remained in Casper. Dan began 40 years of employment with Northern Utilities, Inc. (later known as the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company). During these post-war years, Darel spent her days and nights raising the couple's three children: Darel Diana, Allan Craig and Dana Alex. During these years, Darel and Dan were also very active in many Casper service organizations and social clubs including the Casper Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), the VFW, the Casper Sertoma Club, the March of Dimes, the Elks, and the Lions to name only a few. Darel was also an active member in the First Baptist Church of Casper.

Beginning in 1962, Darel began a long career in retail ladies fashions. For the next 25 years, Darel worked in sales in many of Casper's finer ladies apparel establishments including Bostwick's, The Stewart Shop, "The Place" at Hilltop, Porter's Fashions and J.C. Penney's. It was at Penney's where Darel spent many of her years. She was well-known for her knowledge of ladies fashions and jewelry and, while at Penney's, she produced and directed many unique fashion shows. Darel was a member of the American Business Women's Association. She retired in 1985.

After retirement, Darel traveled extensively to the West Coast, Arizona, Florida and, of course, Akron for her many high school reunions. Despite being from the East, Darel loved Wyoming and always thought of Wyoming as her home. She loved the mountains and, especially, her Grand Tetons.

Darel is survived by her husband of 69 years, Dan of Casper. She is also survived by her son, Allan Craig and his wife Gail of Casper and son Dana Alex of Denver, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Darel Diana in 1999. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Minnie and Dewey as well as her brother, George.

Private family graveside services will be held at the Oregon Trail Veteran's Cemetery in Casper. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to either the Casper Humane Society, 849 E. "E" Street, Casper, WY 82601 or to Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, 319 S. Wilson, Casper, WY 82601.

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