Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Cerva

Betty Cerva, passed from this world at her daughters home on Oct. 25, 2014. She loved her family dearly, but we know that she is having a joyous reunion with her sweetheart, Jack W. Cerva, who passed away February 16, 2000. She has missed his fun loving nature and warm laugh. We know too that Betty is being embraced in the loving arms of her parents, Carl and Vera Nielsen and her four brothers, Arthur, Dee, Roy, Niel and other family members who have passed before her. This reunion will be a happy occasion filled with love, laughter and music. She has undoubtedly already been signed up to play the organ for the heavenly choir. Betty leaves behind a family who will sorely miss her but is so happy that she has finally been freed from a frail body and mind ravaged by Alzheimers. We are certain that when we meet again she will be able to express the many thoughts and feelings she has wanted to share but has been unable to these past few years because of that dreadful disease. Betty is survived by her children, John Douglas (Riam) Cerva, David D. (Vickie) Cerva, Syndee Ann (Larry) Kemp, Shelly Lee (Mike) Estrada, Sheri Lyn (David) Hone, and Stephanie Noel (Mike) Lange; 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy of faith and love. Betty also leaves behind many hundreds of ward members, neighbors and children who were blessed by her kind heart and her gift for music. From the time she was 12 years old, when she began playing the piano for Primary, she has blessed the lives of many through her beautiful music. She was the ward organist for every ward she ever lived in, serving in this capacity for over 50 years. She accompanied everyone who asked her and did it with a glad heart. Her children cannot remember a Sunday morning when they did not awake to the hymns being played either on the organ or the piano in their home. Betty grew up in Nampa, Idaho on a farm. Graduating from Caldwell High in 1950. She tells in her life story, that there were times when she got up to practice the piano at 5 am, but that she never remembers a time not wanting to practice or play the piano. By the time she was in college she had become an accomplished musician at the saxophone, cello, organ and piano. She continued to take piano lessons, even as her disease started to rob her of her memory of the notes. She tried to continue to take lesson so she could continue to play into her 70s. She married Jack Cerva in the Logan temple on April 24, 1951. After their wedding they moved several times, finally settling in Pocatello in the early 1970. Together they raised six children. Betty was an amazing homemaker. She loved cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening and of course music. She did it all with excellence and a happy attitude. She cooked from scratch, making delicious pies, rolls and desserts. She had a gentle spirit, and disliked any kind of contention. Betty always had a listening ear, without saying much. Her children never remember her ever raising her voice to them. She was, simply put-- the best mother a child could ever ask for. In 1981 she began working for her son-in-law, Dentist, Larry J. Kemp. She was honest and hard-working. The patients loved her. When she retired at the age of 72, there were so many patients that would ask to talk with Betty. She made many lifelong friendships and was greatly missed. Betty was a wonderful wife, mother and Grandmother and was loved by everyone who knew her. She was a quiet lady, who lived her life by example. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She and Jack served a mission to Nashville, Tennessee. Throughout her life, Betty served in many callings, but her favorite was the Primary. If you were lucky-- you got to be in her primary class, where you would get her famous popcorn cakes and if you were in her CTR class, a handmade "Its Great to BE 8" Bag. Betty served 3 times as Primary President. If you missed Primary, she rode around the neighborhood, and picked you up in the old station wagon! Betty made sure her own children knew ALL the Primary songs by heart. Three things meant everything to Betty. God, her family, and music. She loved and served all three with all her heart. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 11:00 am at the Highland Seventh Ward, 2000 Fairway Drive, Pocatello, Idaho. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4 th Ave. Pocatello, Idaho, and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Betty will be laid to rest beside Jack W. Cerva at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5 th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho. Condolences can be made to the family online at www.colonial-funeralhome.com

Visitation

11/02/2014 17:00

19:00:00

Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201



Funeral Service

11/03/2014 11:00



Colonial Chapel

2005 S 4th Ave

Pocatello

Idaho

83201