Betty Koon

Durango native Betty Koon died Monday, May 30, 2011, at her daughter's home in Crossville, Tenn., of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. She was 87.

Mrs. Koon was born October 26, 1923, in Durango, Colo., to Orville and Clara Schumacher Cowan (Schaeferhoff). She was raised by her mother and stepfather, “Papa” Joseph Schaeferhoff, in Durango, and graduated from Durango High School. She married Gilbert Lawrence Koon August 2, 1944, in Farmington, N.M., after he returned from serving in World War II.

Mrs. Koon was a homemaker who enjoyed flowers and her garden. Her family remembers the roses she displayed all around the house. She was passionate about musical instruments and a talented self-taught musician. Among the vast collection of instruments she played were a zither, a Hawaiian tremola, a ukelin, a sitar hand-carried from Thailand by her son, and the piano.

Mrs. Koon's family remembers her as a caring individual who gave of herself by volunteering in the community. She was an active member of the Rebekahs and the Grannies Club. In later years, Betty always had her devoted and protective German Shepherd, Brixie, at her side.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gilbert, son Gary Koon, and stepdaughter Lourae Boughan.

Mrs. Koon is survived by daughter Patricia Grebe of Crossville, Tenn.; son Orion Koon of Durango, Colo.; son William (Dorsa) Koon of Redwood City, Calif.; son Rory (Cheryl) Koon of Oklahoma City, Okla.; sister-in-law Dorothy Brewer of Cedar Hill, N.M.; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 6, 2011, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. A service will take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at Hood Mortuary Chapel, with Pastor Aaron Hatfield officiating. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.