Betty Jo Minick

Betty Jo (Souply) Minick, 100, passed away on March 5, 2026, at Westward Heights Care Center in Lander.

She was born on October 2, 1925, in Louisville, Colorado, to Nestor Souply and Alice (Merciez) Souply. She was raised in Louisville and Longmont, Colorado, along with five siblings. Her childhood was a happy one, filled with riding bikes with her best friends, going to the mountains, swimming in Boulder Reservoir, and enjoying many family get-togethers.

She graduated from Longmont High School in 1944. After graduation, she went to Denver and attended cosmetology school. Upon returning to Longmont, she met her future husband, Paul Minick. They were married on May 1, 1946, in Raton, New Mexico.

Because of Paul’s work, they moved to Carmel and Monterey, California, where they had three sons. Betty focused on raising her boys and enjoying life along the California coast. Paul’s career eventually took them to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where Betty briefly worked at the Atlas Missile Base. During this time, they welcomed their fourth child, a long-anticipated daughter.

Betty and Paul enjoyed many outings and activities with their children. They lived throughout central Wyoming, including Casper and Riverton, following Paul’s career, before eventually retiring in Lander.

During their children’s formative years, Betty and Paul created a full, fun, and well-rounded life. They spent time going to church, playing sports, and taking many fishing, boating, camping, and skiing trips, as well as traveling. There was never a dull moment.

Betty loved the outdoors and often loaded up the dogs to go to the park, fishing, or hiking. She was a free spirit with energy to spare. She loved her children dearly and was a natural teacher, caregiver, and fierce protector. She also deeply loved her grandchildren, touching each of their lives in meaningful ways, even helping raise her oldest grandson. They all speak fondly of their memories with her. Her heart and home were always open to her children, their friends, and extended family.

Betty had many interests, including art, music, cosmetology, Broadway shows, traveling, books, reading the Bible, cooking, sewing, gardening, home improvement, and decorating. She had a true thirst for learning new things.

She enjoyed bowling, fishing, golfing, water skiing, hiking, climbing, driving, playing cards, especially poker, spending time with her dogs, and cooking.

Cooking was her specialty. She could prepare a wide variety of foods and was most famous for her homemade spaghetti sauce and handmade pasta, including spaghetti and ravioli. Once people tasted it, they never forgot it. Her family often told her she should sell her sauce. It was that good.

She also loved feeding anyone who visited, often asking, “Are you hungry?” a question she never failed to ask.

She will be dearly missed and was deeply loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Minick; her parents, Nestor and Alice Souply; her sisters, Lorraine Young, Florence LaSalle, and Evaline Berardi; and her brother, Buddy Souply.

She is survived by her brother, Ken Souply; her sons, Robert (Bob) Minick, Lorran Minick, and Paul (Randy) Minick; her daughter, Gina (Chuck) Story; her grandchildren, Paul (Ian) Minick, Nathan (Sarah) Minick, Jesse (Nash) Minick, Blayne Minick, Seth Minick, Charlie Story, Nikki Story, Kae Lani Story, Desirea (Casey) Keierleber, Cassie Minick, and Aly Minick; her great-grandchildren, Alexis Story, Avery Story, Tombo Story, Cameron Story, Taitum Withrow, Azlynn Balderston, Danyca Holakowski, Donovin Novarro, Elaine Minick, Justin Minick, Zed (Brittani) Minick, Izzy Minick, Kieran Minick, Olyund Minick, and Daewren Minick; and her great-great-grandchild, Loxan Minick.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Inn at Lander Travelodge, 260 Grandview Drive, in the War Bonnet Room.

Please sign the online guestbook at hudsonsfh.com