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.”
