Betty Ellen Ilg Straight Cope
Betty was born Sept. 21, 1924, Hyattville, Wyo., in the home of Winnie Hollywood, midwife to her parents Dick and Daisy (Doyle) Ilg. Mom was the only girl among four boys: Richard Ilg (Lenore), Clarence Ilg, Lyle Ilg and Donnie Ilg.
Born with a hemorrhaging umbilical cord, Betty was placed by Winnie on the open oven door close to the inside. Mom’s unique worldly entrance was the beginning of a 96-year life, filled with family, hard work, friends, church, card games and visiting.
On Dec. 28, 1940, Mom married Daniel Wayne Straight. To this marriage arrived four children: Rebecca Gwendolyn, Imogene Daisy, Kathleen Beth and Daniel Clarke. Mom and Dad shared 34 years of marriage before Dad’s passing in 1974. Mom’s entire marriage was spent on the Gapen ranch, which later became the Straight ranch.
Dad’s oft-used quote to others of Mom was: “Betty is a hard worker and the best cow-milker, second to none.”
In 1975, she married Norman Cope, adding three stepdaughters and the families: Norma (Cope) Crnic, Shirley (Cope) Thompson (Jim) and son Kenny and Gayla (Cope) Guccione and daughter Gina and son Frankie. Norman passed in 2001.
Surviving children: Rebecca (Straight) Allred (Sherman), Imogene (Straight) Massey (Tom), Kathleen (Straight) Johnson (Rick), Shirley (Cope) Thompson, Gayla (Cope) Guccione. Surviving daughter-in-law: Connie Straight.
Surviving grandchildren: Tammy (Massey) Laughinghouse (Scott), Jackie Massey (Tony Dial), Tommy Massey (Patti), Craig Johnson, Tami (Johnson) Martens, Wade Johnson (Melanie), Rikki Beth (Johnson) Townsend (Jay); Chad Straight (Lynn), Danyel (Straight) Chitwood (Bobby); Enoch Allred (Janell), Eric Allred (Andrea); Kenny Cope; Frankie Guccione, Gina Guccione.
Great-grandchildren: Trey Massey, Tyler Massey; Zach Johnson, Zadie Johnson; Lilly Beth Townsend, Jerrick Townsend; Dallys Chitwood, Austin Chitwood; Daniel Cade Straight, Kristen (Straight) Riley, Ashley (Allred) Bryant, Joshua Allred, Melissa (Allred) Hammeren, Daniel Allred (Miriam), Allison Allred, Lauren Allred, Jacob Allred, Alyse Allred.
Great-great-grandchildren: Addie Hammeren, Lilly Hammeren, Teagan Bryant, Layken Bryant (twin girls).
Preceding Mom in her next life’s stop were: Daisy (Doyle) and Dick Ilg (parents); Dan Straight (husband and father of her four children); Norman Cope (second husband and father of three stepdaughters); Clarke Straight (son); Thad Massey (grandson and son of Tom and Imy Massey); Richard Ilg (brother), Clarence Ilg (brother), Lyle Ilg (brother), Donnie Ilg (brother), Rick Johnson (son-in-law, Kathy’s husband), Norma (Cope) Crnic.
A private family graveside service was held Dec. 28 at Mount View Cemetery in Basin. Mom was placed next to Dad on their wedding anniversary (would have been 80 years).
A late spring or early summer memorial celebration will be held at the Basin Methodist Church.
Those wishing to make a contribution may give to the Hyattville Methodist Church, Basin Methodist Church, Shriners Hospital or any other way they wish.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Atwood Family Funeral Directors.