LAS VEGAS – Betty J. Howell, 94, of Las Vegas, Nevada passed away on May 1, 2025. She was born in Morrill, Nebraska, the daughter of Adam and Amelia Miller. She grew up on a farm, was active in school activities such as choir and cheerleading and graduated from Morrill High school in 1949.
In July of 1951, she married Robert H May. In 1954, Betty and Bob moved to southern California and settled in San Diego where there they raised their daughters, Jacquelynn Lea and Constance Jo.
Betty had a very successful career as a hairstylist in La Jolla. She cultivated many lifelong friends among her coworkers and clients. In 1978, she moved back to Torrington to be closer to her parents and siblings.
In 1978, she married Bruce Howell of Morrill. They lived a fun filled life on the farm, traveling, and spending winters in Las Vegas for many years. During that time, Betty was successful in owning video stores in Torrington, Cheyenne and Colorado Springs.
In 1999, Betty moved to Las Vegas full time. Betty was always quick to laugh, loved to sing karaoke, and to dance, especially the “Dutch Hop”. One time while attending “The Lawrence WelkShow” in Los Angeles with her brother Vern, Mr. Welk invited her to dance with him on stage. One of his lead female dancers danced with Vern. They wowed the crowd.
She enjoyed animals and spoiled every pet her family had whether it be horses, dogs, cats, or whatever was brought home.
Betty was an avid Texas Hold’em card player and played every Wednesday with her daughter Connie’s women’s club. Less than two weeks before she passed, Betty won a tournament.
She loved to travel, and took numerous cruises with her siblings, daughters and friends. Every summer for years she and her daughter Jackie, took road trips to visit her family in Wyoming. They took the roads less traveled and stopped in visit her family in Wyoming. They took the roads less traveled and stopped in small towns, at historical sites, and toured any area that piqued their interest. Of course, every one of those trips included a visit to Deadwood with her family to partake of the local activities. Those were truly great times.
She is survived by her daughters Jackie May of Alpine, California, Connie Freeman (Gary) of Las Vegas N.V., her brothers Vern Miller and Jim Miller (Margaret) of Torrington, her sister Ruthie Cundall (Larry) of Douglas, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. Betty was proceeded in death by her beloved parents Adam and Amelia Miller, her infant sister Patricia, her brothers and their wives who she was extremely close to and missed dearly, Harry Miller (Bernice), Edward Miller, Robert Miller (Anna Lea), and her brother-in-law Raymond Wooding.
Betty will be missed greatly, “Until We Meet Again”. She will be interred upon her mother Amelia’s grave in the Valley View Cemetery, in Torrington and a private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
