Betty Jean Rose

Betty Jean Randall Rose, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor and beloved friend, slipped away from family and friends into the arms of departed loved ones on Monday, September 26, 2016. All who knew and loved her will dearly miss her.

Betty fought a good fight and died firm in her faith of the Lord Jesus Christ, especially of His atoning sacrifice, and the promise of a glorious resurrection given to all His faithful disciples. He said (to Martha), “…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” She had a testimony of this supernal truth.

Betty understood and embraced the Savior’s invitation: “Come, ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” In spite of many physical challenges in her golden years, Betty remained determined to love and serve others. She believed in taking her religion past the classroom out into the lives of her neighbors. She often visited and lifted “the feeble knees and the hands that hang down.” The scores of quilts that she made and generously shared will likewise warm many, many hearts, hands and cold feet for decades to come.

Betty is the first daughter born to Alma Fernelius Randall and Lena Marie Pyrah. She was born in Bear River, Utah on November 20, 1928, and soon thereafter became acquainted with the ravages of the Great Depression. Those were hard years, but they did not hinder Betty from growing into a feisty, beautiful, talented young woman. The family moved to Morgan, Utah while she was still young.

She was blessed with excellent athleticism enabling her to enjoy many physical activities. She was a high school cheerleader at Morgan High School and an accomplished softball player. There was a time that she could out run the boys, a most helpful skill for such a pretty girl.

She was a gifted writer, which provided an opportunity to act as the high school’s editor. Later she had a column in the Morgan County News under the alias of Sagebrush Liz. Betty loved music and was blessed with a beautiful singing voice. She participated in high school musicals and played the clarinet in the marching & symphonic bands. Music was always an integral part of her life. Often she could be heard playing her piano while singing favorite songs and hymns. She had opportunities throughout her life to help with local ward choirs, both as a participant and a director.

While still in high school, the United States entered World War II. Betty was no coward and later became a sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol, doing what she could to support our men in arms. She loved America and all that was, and still is good in her. She was, in every sense of the word, part of the “Greatest Generation.”

After the war, she met an older, but very handsome young man, also from Morgan, Stanley Edison (Ed) Rose, and fell in love. They were married on January 9, 1948 in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. They soon moved to the state of Washington where Ed found employment as a welder on two hydroelectric dams. Their first daughter, Teresa Ann (Nelson) was born while living there.

After working in Washington, Betty and Ed moved to Logan, Utah where Ed attended Utah State University-spending many memorable days in the new, but not so private, Quonset huts built for married couples.

A few years later they moved back to take over the family farm in Richville (Morgan County). She never moved away. There they raised their family, Teresa (Tess), Michael Edison, Chris Randall and April.

Betty loved her family and performed countless acts of selfless service in their behalf, sacrificing to provide everything she could to make their lives meaningful, productive and happy. She taught them virtues that would enable them to become responsible citizens, parents and faithful stewards in the Lord’s earthly kingdom. She taught them how to pray, to have faith, serve others, and to love the Lord. She clearly understood that those who inherit Eternal Life are rich.

Betty was called to serve in many ways in her wards and stake (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). One of those callings was scouting. For years she toiled diligently with coworkers to build character in young men (particularly the Blazer Scouts-now called eleven year olds), preparing them for the priesthood, missions and then fatherhood. She received an award from the Morgan Utah Stake for her outstanding service, but the greatest reward was seen in the lives of those young men as they grew into wonderful missionaries and later tender caring husbands and fathers; men who still honor their priesthood. The legacy she left behind will have eternal consequences.

Raised on a small farm within Morgan City limits, Betty grew to love horses. Later, living on the farm in Richville she enjoyed the muscle-building experience of a rancher’s wife. Betty owned and enjoyed many horses (one of her most beloved was Waffles, her golden palomino mare). She, along with some other women from Morgan, created a riding group known as the Morgan Valley Riders. Later, they decided to allow the husbands to join the club. This club went on many rides within the county, but also included fishing trips into the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Ed’s filming skills captured many of those memories on 16mm film and proved a delight to all who participated.

As a lover of sports, and having children that attended Brigham Young University (BYU) Betty became a lifetime supporter of BYU football. She cheered for the Cougars through thick and thin. One of her last mortal experiences with family and friends was watching her beloved Cougars play against West Virginia. Her unfaltering loyalty, however, did not diminish her dismay when they did not play well. She loved it most when they won, and who wouldn’t.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents, her husband, Edison, her sister, Shirley (Dan Sommers), her brothers Gary (Joy Hannum) and Dennis. Surviving Betty are her brother Kent (Gerry Francis), her children Teresa (Nelson), Michael (Rosanne Jolley), Chris (Karen Quenemoen), April (Christopher Hales), nineteen grandchildren and twenty-seven great-grandchildren.

Betty was most grateful and appreciative of numerous friends, neighbors, relatives, and caretakers who made her closing hours in mortality as comfortable and bearable as possible. In her behalf, please accept the family’s heartfelt love and expression of appreciation to you all.

Interment will be at the North Morgan Cemetery, Morgan, Utah on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016. A graveside service (open to the public) will be held there at 11 a.m. Betty requested that there be no funeral or public viewing.

Family will gather at the Porterville Church (2860 South Morgan Valley Drive) at 9:30 a.m. After the family prayer, the casket will be transported to the cemetery for the service and interment.

Flowers (which are greatly appreciated-more because of the donor than the gift) are not needed. We respectfully ask that instead of donating flowers that you consider contributing to one of your favorite charities, a number of which Betty, herself supported.