Betty Ralston Cooley

Siskiyou County lost a long-standing member of the community as Betty Cooley, 93, passed on September 25, 2020 after a short illness. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Stan Cooley. Together they raised horses and cattle and farmed the land at the Circle 7 Ranch in Montague and in the summers operated the Circle 7 Guest Ranch in McCloud. To the day she passed, she spent winters in Montague and summers in McCloud. As the eldest child of Vayne and Haldis Ralston, Betty was born at home in January of 1927 on a ranch that is now the campground at Lake Siskiyou. At three years old, the family moved to Grenada where the Ralstons would establish their family ranch with multiple generations living there. Betty would never stop being the “big sister” to her brother Jack and sister Marjorie. Betty attended school in Grenada, where she would become valedictorian and graduate in 1944. She could not wait to get out of high school and get on with her life. She attended St.Luke’s School of Nursing in San Francisco until 1946 when she went back to Siskiyou County after a family emergency. There she worked in a couple of doctor offices and met the love of her life, Stan Cooley. In 1947, Betty went back to school at Fresno State to continue her education. There she lived with her uncle, Art Selland and his family. In the spring of 1948, Betty became very ill and would eventually be diagnosed with polio. After being put on bed rest she went back to Grenada. Despite her disabilities, Stan visited her daily. With the doctor’s permission they were allowed to marry in May of 1949. This would be the start of an amazing legacy. Together they had two children, Art and Robin, and lived lives of community service, with a commitment to raising high quality Quarter Horses that would transfer to generations to come. In 1952, Stan and Betty organized the first Junior Rodeo in Montague and then in 1956, they started the Montague Stampede Rodeo. They continued to be involved in the production of these events for the next 25 years. In 1964 they purchased property in McCloud and opened the Cooley’s Circle 7 Guest Ranch. With cabins, a campground and dude string, they had guests from near and far. Despite closing the ranch in 1982, prior guests would drop in to this day. You could always count on Betty meeting you at the bridge with a smile and a story. Betty served her community for years as a musician at the Montague Methodist Church, a Sunday school teacher and youth director. She was a past member of the Willow Creek School Board, Siskiyou County School Board, Siskiyou County Cowbelles and McCloud Chamber of Commerce. In her later years she worked every Friday at the McCloud Heritage Junction Museum. Most of all, Betty was an amazing wife, sister, mother, grandmother and friend. She is survived by her son Art and wife Annette; daughter Robin, partner Mike Matherly and daughter Nancy Matherly; stepdaughter Pam Mastelotto; grandson Chris Mastelotto and wife Anna, granddaughter Michelle and husband Ted Lundberg; granddaughter Casey and husband Kris Gudel; grandson Stan and wife Katie; great-grandchildren Clayton and Grady Cooley and Gentry and Kade Gudel; brother Jack Ralston and wife Sandy; sister Marjorie Bley; as well as many more great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Per Betty’s request there will be no services at this time. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Betty’s name to the McCloud Heritage Junction Museum, PO Box 604, McCloud, CA 96057.

Betty Ralston Cooley

January 16, 1927 - September 25, 2020