Betty F Nussbaum

The Lord called our mother and Grandmother, Betty Fae Nussbaum, home April 3, 2023. Betty (Pittman) Nussbaum was born to H.R. (Ted) Pittman and Marie (Kiene) Pittman on October 25, 1928, at the hospital in Burns, Wyoming. During Junior High and High School, she stayed with her grandparents, Bill and Maude Kiene, in Pine Bluffs and graduated with the class of 1947. When Pine Bluffs High School celebrated their 100 years of alumni, Betty and one other classmate were able to attend.  Betty worked at the Swede Larson Ranch and it was there she met Claude Nussbaum.   They were married in Pine Bluffs on August 24, 1947.  To this union 3 children were born:  David Nussbaum, Hillsdale, WY,  Suzanne (Joseph) Deselms, Burns, WY, and Robert Nussbaum, Minot, ND.

Betty and Claude were both members of the Pine Bluffs Methodist Church and were involved as choir members and Sunday-School teachers.  Betty was also a member of the local Triangle Club for 25 years in Pine Bluffs, a member of the Prairie Pioneers Extension Club in Burns for many years, and a member of quilting clubs in earlier years in the area.  Betty and Claude lived in the area through their married life in Pine Bluffs, an irrigated farm, dryland, and yearling ranch until finally settling in Burns.  Throughout this time Betty was involved and chauffeuring their children in sports activities, school events, band and 4-H. They sponsored 10 different foster children over a period of 7 years while on the ranch. Some have stayed in contact and visited over the years.

During her twilight years, Betty did some travelling with a senior citizens group. She sat on the senior centers board over Cheyenne and Burns senior centers for a number of years. They would frequent dinner theatres, local plays, and one time made a trip to Branson, Missouri. One of the fondest memories is when Betty was turning 80 years old, the family asked her what she wanted to do to celebrate. Her sons, David and Robert, made her wish come true. They took her to New Mexico’s hot air balloon festival for her own hot air balloon ride! The three of them rode over the Rio Grande and toasted with champagne.

Betty was a rural mail carrier in the Burns area for over 25 years. Betty became an EMT with Burns Ambulance and served on the Ambulance Board. She was also on the Burns Town Council and served on the Burns Cemetery Board and was honored with a plaque for her service upon retirement. Betty also was honored as "Citizen of the Year" by the Burns Masonic Lodge No.41 and presented a plaque.  She was honored for her 90th birthday with an open house and also was presented “The Laramie County Master Gardeners Community Service Award” and was recognized as a member of the Master Gardener Organization. Betty loved gardening and planting flowers in the Burns Park and throughout the town decorating the planters in front of local businesses.  Anytime you are planting, tending, or weeding your flower beds, take a minute to think of Betty as she always took pride in her gardening and tending to “the wall” on Main Street.

Betty is survived by her sister Marietta Larson, sons; David and Robert Nussbaum, and daughter; Suzanne (Joseph) Deselms, Grandchildren; Dennis Nussbaum, Darrel (Sirena) Nussbaum, Dustin (Jenna) Nussbaum, and Kayla Deselms, Great Grandchildren; Donovan (Carrie) Nussbaum, David Nussbaum, Caidence, Mason, and Amberly Nussbaum, and Great Great Grandchildren; Natalie, Gabe, Aurelia, and Cayde Nussbaum, Wynter and Madelynn Puffer. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; H.R. Pittman and Marie Pittman, her husband; Claude Nussbaum, brothers; T.W. (Bill)  Pittman, Richard Pittman, Granddaughter; Sierra Deselms, and Great Granddaughter; Danielle Puffer.

A graveside service will be held by the family at a later date. Donations should be made to the Burns Cemetery Board or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.