Belva Darlene (Pieper) Harty, 72, of Sterling, died on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in Greeley. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at First English Lutheran Church, with the Rev. David Loeschke officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery.

Belva was born to Ervin W. and May (Imhof) Pieper on Nov. 19, 1939, in Washington County. She lived in the Lone Star area and graduated from Lone Star High School in 1959. She then attended Bon Ton Beauty School. Later she earned an associate's degree from NJC.

She married Joseph F. Harty on May 22, 1960, in Yuma. They divorced in 1976. Two children were born to this union.

She was a member of First English Lutheran Church. She enjoyed cross-stitch, sewing, needlework and reading. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Belva is survived by son, Michael J. Harty and wife Alana of Otis; daughter, Victoria L. Frick and husband Robert of Otis; niece, Kathleen Trum and husband James of Sterling; nephew, Todd Pieper and wife Deb of Gering, Neb.; sister-in-law, Bernice Pieper of Scottsbluff, Neb.; 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Orville Pieper.

Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation or Lutheran World Relief.