Betty Jean Lancaster

Betty Jean Lancaster (nee Chandler) 

A Life Remembered

Early Life and Family

Betty Jean Lancaster, 93, born Betty Jean Chandler, passed away after a brief illness on

February 18, 2026. She was born on December 27, 1932, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, to

her parents Robert (Bob) and Ollie Chandler. Betty spent her earliest years in Cheyenne

Wells before the family moved to the Denver area to raise cattle on Ken Caryl Ranch. Later,

the Chandlers moved east of Pueblo, Colorado to the Boone area, where they bought a

small farm. This farm became home to Betty and her siblings, Bruce and Ann, and would

remain a cherished place throughout their lives. The Chandler family home and farm later

gained notoriety, being featured in the Hollywood film “National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Growing Up on the Chandler Place

Betty often shared captivating stories from her childhood on the Chandler Place. Along

with her younger sister Ann and their mother, they would travel to a small, one-room school

north of Boone, where her mother taught. The trio would stay in the school’s basement

where, “we would sleep and mama cooked our meals and made lunch for the school kids”.

Betty took part in daily chores at their home and would recount a frightening experience

while checking cattle on horseback. She described how lightning struck a fence post

beside her and her horse, causing the horse to spook and throw her to the ground. She

said, “I’ve been terrified of lightning since that day, but I’ll jump back on a horse in a

heartbeat”.

A Passion for Rodeo

Betty’s enthusiasm for professional rodeo and western heritage was unwavering. She

followed rodeo events closely, tracking competitors’ statistics and regularly attending the

National Finals Rodeo in both Oklahoma City and Las Vegas. Saddle bronc riding was her

favorite event, which she considered “the classiest of all the events.” Betty married

Leonard Lancaster, a professional saddle bronc rider. Through her connection to rodeo,

Betty became acquainted with numerous world champion cowboys and stock contractors

from the RCA (Rodeo Cowboys Association) and the present-day PRCA (Professional

Rodeo Cowboys Association).

Legacy and Remembrance

Betty’s life was marked by adventure, love, and resilience in the face of both happiness

and tragedy. She touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed. Betty was

predeceased by her parents, her brother Bruce Chandler, her sister Ann Carruth, her

daughter Colleen Patrick, and her husband Leonard Lancaster. She is survived by a large

extended family, including nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great

nieces and nephews. A memorial service to honor Betty’s life will be held at a later date.