Betty Jo Seedorf

Betty Jo McKinley Seedorf was born July 10, 1926 in Beeler Kansas to Emma and Otis McKinley.  She lived Southeast of Yuma Colorado.  Betty Jo attended country school riding a horse to school with her sisters and brother.  She and her sister Maxine moved into an apartment to attend Yuma High School as they lived far from town.  Betty Jo often talked about how they would walk from their apartment above Mustains to High School.  Don Seedorf noticed Betty Jo when he was a youth of 14 and would wish on the evening star “I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight” and his wish was to marry Betty Jo McKinley.  Being extremely shy, he needed some help.  His mother Mary came to JC Penny’s where Betty Jo was working and asked “Betty Jo, we just had a litter of puppies.  Would you like Don to bring you one?”  Don visited Betty Jo, but he never brought the puppy! 

Betty Jo McKinley and Don Seedorf were married January 11, 1948 after he returned from the army.  Two children were born to them, Cheryl and Rick.   Betty Jo was a member of the Okihi club of Yuma and the Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school.  She enjoyed teaching the children remembering them long into their adulthood as her former Sunday school students.  Betty Jo raised Collie puppies, made and decorated beautiful wooden bird houses, and enjoyed her collections of commemorative plates, coins, and pottery.  She also enjoyed collecting recipes, cooking and baking beautiful birthday cakes and, having chocolate chip cookies on hand for when the grandchildren would stop by.  Betty Jo and Don bought a motor home in 1994 and spent their winters in Arizona for 13 years.  When asked about driving the RV, Betty Jo would respond that if she could drive the semi she could surely drive the RV.  She loved her vegetable garden and her flowers as evidenced by the beautiful flowers that could be seen along the white fence at their home.  She could often be seen watering even in the heat of the day.   

Married for 70 years, Betty Jo was preceded in death by her husband Don. Betty Jo is survived by sister Arlene Olvey, sister-in-law Alice Seedorf, daughter Cheryl (Seedorf) Mekelburg and husband Gaylord Mekelburg and their children: Amy and husband Diego Martinez, Jason and wife Shelley Mekelburg, Sally and husband Joe Castillo, Adam and wife Heather Mekelburg, and son Rick and wife Ruth (Goerner) Seedorf and their children: Heather and husband Randall Doran, Kyle and wife Erin Seedorf, and 10 great-grandchildren.    

The Funeral Service was held on Friday, December 7, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Yuma with Pastor Jamie Fiorino officiating.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service. 

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