Betty Kay Green

Betty Kay (Michelena) Green, 87, died peacefully on February 18, 2025. Betty Kay was born on July 22, 1937 in Buffalo,WY to Sebastian Michelena, a Basque immigrant sheep rancher from the Navarra province in Spain, and Anna (Kraen) Michelena. Betty Kay was the sixth child of twelve. Her siblings were Joe, Sabie, Kathleen, Jean, Martin, Santiago, Sebastian, Juaquin, Mary Louise, Peter, and Marcina. Betty Kay was proud of her large family. 

 Betty Kay grew up in Arvada, WY. She earned her Registered Nurse degree from the Presentation School of Nursing and a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Incarnate Word College. 

 Betty Kay entered the United States Air Force in 1961 as a Second Lieutenant and retired in 1981 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Some of her assignments were in the Philippines, Germany, and Japan. Betty Kay was a Flight Nurse in the Vietnam War for 2 1/2 years. She received the Air Medal for Hazardous Duty and other medals while serving our country. 

 Betty Kay married Dr. Ronald Green, Air Force Physician, in 1972 and they served our country together until Betty Kay's retirement from the Air Force. Betty Kay and Ronald lived in several States before retiring permanently in Cheyenne, WY in 1993 where they lived until Betty Kay's death. 

 Betty Kay lived a full life and loved every moment. Betty Kay loved to travel to foreign countries, eat ethnic foods, and hike. Betty Kay and Ronald hiked in every State and 24 countries. 

 Betty Kay is survived by her husband of 53 years, Dr. Ronald Green, several brothers and sisters, step-daughters Barbara Lyons and Leslie Green, 4 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 The family would like to thank the Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Medical Center healthcare providers, the staff with the Veterans Home Based Primary Care Program, Cottonwood Creek Memory Care Unit , and Eden Hospice for the wonderful care provided for Betty Kay. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty Kay's name to a charity of your choice.