Betty Lou Janata

It is with great sorrow to announce that Betty Lou Janata passed away in her home July 1, 2019 at the age of 91. Betty was born September 14, 1927 to Charles and Caroline Vrba in Dodge Nebraska. She has a younger sister, Ardine DeVarenne. Betty married Anton (Tony) Janata January 12, 1949. Together they had 4 children – Chuck, Sharon, Patti and Dona. For many years Betty worked as an accountant. She managed Universal Credit Bureau in Lakewood for over 20 years, and then was able to get her dream job as an account manager at Coors Brewing Company. She was very generous with sharing the “benefits” of working for a major beer company. Betty was very proud of the work she did with the American Legion Auxiliary. She served as ALA Department of Colorado President (1974), was Colorado Girl State Director (1978-1979) as well as being asked to serve on numerous committees. She was given the honor of becoming a Life Time Member of the America Legion Auxiliary – an honor for which she did not take lightly. Many of her Auxiliary family referred to her lovingly as “Mom”. She most enjoyed entertaining the Legion dignitaries and fellow ALA members in her hotel suite during the many conventions she attended. You could always count on a “cold one” when she was there. Her family, friends and neighbors would look forward to the fruit of Betty’s labors, being it the canned bounties of her garden or the pans of colaches and cinnamon rolls she would bake during the winter months. Her granddaughter, Jamie, named these “Grandma Rolls”. We will miss the butter pickles, canned green beans and tasty and aromatic rolls she was famous for. Betty was known for her quick wit, her lack of patience, not holding back on offering her opinion and a knack for telling it like it is. Although it does not sound like it, these qualities will be fondly remembered, and will be the start of many great stories that will be shared when talking about just how much we will all miss her. Betty will be forever remembered and sadly missed by her daughters Patti (Bob) Ellis of Lakewood, CO, and Dona (Glenn) Reynolds of Windsor, CO; grandchildren Holly (Philipp) Ponomarev, Jamie Ellis, Caitlin (Bryce) Morgan and Evan Reynolds; great grandchildren Michael and Nina Ponomarev and numerous nieces and nephews. Betty is preceded in death by her husband Anton (Tony) 1988 and her son Charles (Chuck) 2011. A rosary will be held Friday, July 19, 2019 at 11:00am, with a Funeral Mass at 12:00 at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 1985 Miller Street, Lakewood CO 80215. Entombment is scheduled at 2:30pm at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Staging Area B, 3698 S. Sheridan Boulevard, Denver CO 80235. A reception will be at 3:30 pm at Wilmore-Richter American Legion Post 161, 6230 W. 60th Avenue, Arvada CO 80003, graciously hosted by the Wilmore-Richter American Legion Auxiliary. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either Colorado Columbine Girl State or the Past President Parley Scholarship, American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Colorado, 7465 East 1st Avenue Suite D, Denver, CO 80230.