Our mom, sister, friend, and "Beady" passed away peacefully June 19, 2016 at her home in Salt Lake City. Born February 21, 1920 in Wellsville, Utah to Joseph Pearl (J.P.) Jones and Alameda Brown Gunnell, Betty was the eldest of six children. She married Vear Lee Jenson in the Logan, Utah LDS temple November 9, 1939. Neither cared for the farm life, and immediately following their marriage, Betty and Vear moved to Salt Lake City.
With the outbreak of World War II and Vear flying missions in Europe, Betty worked for the Ninth Service Command, volunteered for the USO, and waited for Vear to return. A self-proclaimed "flag waver," she later said of those years, "Everybody was on the same page. I was mighty proud of our country." Her patriotism never wavered, and she later served her country for thirty years as an election judge.
Following the war, Betty and Vear settled into family life. They are the parents of three sons, eight grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. "Beady" (as her posterity calls her) was especially proud of her grandkids and "greats," and she thrilled to see their many accomplishments. She kept drawers of their notes and artwork.
An avid golfer, Betty played in two or three tournaments every week. She took up competitive doubles tennis at age sixty. She and Vear were members of the Hidden Valley, Cottonwood, and Oakridge country clubs, and she served as president of the Ladies' Association at Oakridge as well as on their board of directors. She belonged to four different bridge clubs and loved playing with her many friends. She knew how to have fun, and her sense of humor could inspire laughter on even the most difficult of days.
Vear and Betty's favorite activity was dancing. They belonged to the Saturday Night Dance Club for 30 years and the High Stepper Dance Club for more than 50 years. Vear and Betty cha-cha-ed, mamboed, waltzed, and even hustled together, dance partners forever, now reunited.
Betty is survived by her sons, Scott (Ann) of Holladay and Cory (Cindy) of Salt Lake City; sister Bonnie Christensen of Tremonton; eight grandchildren and 18 great- and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vear Lee Jenson; son Don Lee Jenson; siblings Anna Lee Butterworth, Joseph Burke Jones, Van Leroy Jones, Gloria Margaret Hall; great-granddaughter Isabel Ann Jenson.
Funeral services will be held at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary and Cemetery, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake on Saturday, June 25th at 11:00 AM, with a visitation from 9:45 to 10:45 AM.
At Beady's request, slacks are appropriate for ladies.
