Elizabeth (Petsch) Skoglund Obituary

Elizabeth Carol (Petsch) Skoglund

December 16, 1935 – December 12, 2025

Just four days shy of her 90th birthday, Elizabeth Carol Skoglund, genuinely known as Betty - passed away, having nearly reached the milestone she spoke of with determination. She used to say she hoped to die like one of her favorite horses, Partner’s Choice: after a good meal, a drink of water, and a peaceful rest. And she basically did just that.

Preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Betty was born and raised on Clarkson Street near Washington Park in Denver, Colorado. Her parents, Bernys M. Kenner Petsch and Harold Eugene Petsch raised four children: Hep, Betty, Peggy, and Nona. She later graduated from South High School.

In 1953, love entered her life on horseback when she met and married Donald William Skoglund. They built a life rooted in family, land, horses, and hard work. Together they raised four children: Nancy Ann Skoglund (William) Garrett, Debra Lynn Skoglund (Mark) Hollis, Kenneth Lawrence Skoglund II, Dawn Lee Skoglund Mayo. She was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Over the years, Betty worked at Woolworths, Zapata Seed Company, and the Salida Sale Barn. An avid reader, with a wide range of interests, she studied subjects from gardening and forestry to aquaculture and agriculture, caring for animals that included horses, cows, dogs, cats, geese, chickens, and fish. Her home was a place of warmth and welcome, filled with company, coffee, pie, fresh bread, bubbling jams, and hearty homemade meals.

A true wizard of the culinary arts, she devoted countless hours to baking, meat processing, canning, and harvesting the produce from her prolific garden. Especially remembered for her caramel apples, cheesecake, chokecherry wine, garlic braids, limpa bread, potato sausage and so much more.

A master gardener and lifelong lover of the land, Betty found peace and purpose in nurturing plants and animals alike. Known for her keen eye on horses and a deep affection for her dogs, she also milked cows, made her own butter and ice cream, and instilled in her family a lasting respect for hard work and self sufficiency.

Her generosity extended well beyond family and friends into the wider community. In Saguache, she judged the Hollyhock Festival for the Town’s official flower. Faithfully, she attended the Saguache Sagebrush Quilters meetings. She helped write a grant and sold cookies to raise funds for remodeling the Moffat Town Hall. All demonstrating a deep commitment to improving the lives of others. Whether sharing the harvest from her garden or volunteering her time, Betty was known for her giving spirit and genuine concern for those around her.

Betty chose cremation, and a private family ceremony will be held at the Rito Alto Cemetery near the homestead ranch in Moffat, Colorado. https://www.crematesimply.com/