Betty Eileen Johnson

Betty E. Johnson passed away March 20, 2016 in Pocatello, Idaho. She was born to Albert Harry and Mary Evans when they owned and operated a rural grocery store in Robin, Idaho. Betty's family moved when she was eight to Pocatello where Harry ran a grocery store and Mary worked as a school teacher and bank teller. While Betty was in high school, her parents bought a farmhouse and some acreage northwest of Pocatello. That Tyhee Flats farm continued to be "home" for most of her adult life. Betty graduated from Pocatello High School in 1948 and shortly after, married Albert Martin Johnson who moved to Idaho after serving overseas in the U.S. Army. Together, they raised four daughters: Vicky, Jackie, Mary and Ann.

Over time, Al and Betty steadily built a productive farm operation that ultimately included over 2,000 acres in size; and they raised cattle that summered on the foothills east of Tyhee. Besides being a traditional homemaker and busy mother, Betty helped Al run the daily operations of their farm business. She handled financial accounts, made payroll for dozens of field workers, drove trucks and other equipment, and ran errands for replacement parts and supplies. She was the quintessential farm wife who often cooked and delivered hot meals to the field so that Al and his farm hands could continue a steady pace — especially during busy harvest times.

In addition to her farm chores, Betty grew a garden, canned fruits and vegetables, sewed clothes, and made hearty home-cooked meals. She also helped her daughters each summer as they completed 4-H projects and attended county fairs. Betty was the central force that kept the home fires burning. For 15 years, she supported Al while he served as a state representative from 1982-1996 in the Idaho Legislature. The cliché phrase "behind every successful man stands a good woman" fits the role that Betty played throughout her married life.

In her limited spare time, Betty was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Radiant Chapter No. 61 and she belonged to a social sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. She was also an avid bowler and belonged to several leagues. In her later years she loved to read, work on crafts and jigsaw puzzles, play cards or board games, and mainly spend time with her family.

Betty lost the love of her life, Al, in 1996 and turned the daily operation of their Tyhee farm over to her nephews, Gary and Russell Johnson. In 2003, she decided to move to Jackson, Wyoming to live with her daughter Jackie and son-in-law Bob Skaggs. She became a constant companion of their dog (Pepper), fell in love with the Teton landscape and its wildlife, wholeheartedly adopted Grand Teton National Park as her "mountain home", and made many new friends. Eventually, Betty moved back to Pocatello where she resided in an adult care facility until her death.

Betty was a generous, loving mother and grandmother who kept a cozy home that served as the epicenter for family gatherings. She was also a giving donor who frequently contributed to the Albert M. Johnson Scholarship Endowment in support of students pursuing health sciences degrees at Idaho State University, as well as other ISU funding campaigns. She established the Albert M. Johnson Memorial Fund with the Idaho Youth Ranch and made numerous donations during the past 20 years.

Whenever asked what she felt were her most important life accomplishments, Betty would say without hesitation, "Marrying Al and raising four daughters who've made me so proud and given me such happiness."

Betty is survived by her four daughters and their husbands: Vicky Harry (Emory) of Aloha, Oregon; Jackie Skaggs (Bob) of Jackson, Wyoming; Mary Jackson (Mike) and Ann Armatage (Terry) both of Pocatello, Idaho. Betty is also survived by her brother Kent Evans and his wife Lu of Payson, Arizona; in-laws Gerald and Hilvia Johnson of Pocatello, and Ed and Donna Johnson of Salton Sea, California; nephews Gary, Doug, Russell and Brian Johnson and nieces Cathy Johnson and Lynne Evans Baker; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Al Johnson; brother and sister-in-law, Lionel and Dorothy Evans and their son Brent; and nephews, Kip and Jim Evans, sons of Kent.

Betty's daughters would like to thank Dr. Martha Stearn of Jackson, Wyoming and Dr. Jordan Bailey of Pocatello for their compassionate and professional care of their dear mother as her Alzheimer's disease progressed on its inevitable and difficult course. And a special thanks is extended to the wonderful caregivers, nurses, and hospice teams at Caring Hearts Assisted Living for their gentle kindness and consistent respect shown to Betty while she resided there.

Per Betty's wishes, no funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Idaho State University Albert M. Johnson Scholarship Endowment, the Idaho Youth Ranch Albert M. Johnson Memorial Fund or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at http://www.alzfdn.org/ContributetoAFA/makeadonation.html

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family under the "Share a Memory" on on this page. They may be also mailed to the Johnson Family: PO Box 2042, Pocatello, ID 83206.