Betty Jo Gifford

Services to celebrate the life of long-time Casper resident, Betty Jo Gifford, will be held Monday, October 10, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home in Casper. Betty Jo died peacefully at the Kloefkorn Hospice Home in Casper on October 3, 2016. She was 81 years old.

Betty Jo was born June 2, 1935, at the family home at 302 South Lincoln to parents, Golden W. "Bob" Butters and his wife, Lucille. She attended Jefferson Elementary, Casper Junior High and Natrona County High School, where she graduated in 1953. While in school, Betty Jo was active in band, baton and ballet. She was the only female member of a four-piece dance band that played at various venues in and around Casper, playing jazz, standards and popular songs on piano. After graduating from high school, Betty Jo attended the University of Southern California, where she studied performance piano.

On July 2, 1955, Betty Jo married Bill Gifford in Casper. Their first child, Mark, was born in 1956, followed by a daughter, Gail, in 1959, and son, Craig, in 1963. Betty Jo was a stay-at-home mom, active in her children's school activities and involved in the community, including serving as president of Casper Service League. She also taught ballet in a studio in her home and was a yoga instructor at Casper College.

In 1976, Betty Jo returned to the work force, first at Wyoming Community Development Authority and then at First Interstate Bank, where she was an officer in the trust department for many years until her retirement in 2000. In retirement, Betty Jo worked part-time at her son's law office and resumed her pursuit of Life Master status in duplicate bridge, which she proudly attained in 2005. Through her involvement in Kiwanis, she was the Director of Stars of Tomorrow for several years.

Throughout her life, Betty Jo modeled loyalty to her family, the courage of her convictions and passion for the things and people she loved. In addition to her family, Betty Jo loved her pets, her many friends and her sports teams, including the Broncos, the Rockies and the Nuggets. She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Jean and Helen. She is survived by her children, Mark of Cheyenne; Gail Deal of Casper; Craig and his wife, Michelle, also of Casper; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty Jo's memory to Casper Humane Society, 849 East E Street, Casper, WY 82601, would be appreciated.

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