Betty Lou Davi,s Tibbitts
April 10, 1924 – May 30, 2014


Betty D. Tibbitts passed away peacefully, incident to aging, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, on May 30, 2014, surrounded by her children.


Betty Lou Davis was born on April 10, 1924 in the family home in Heman, Idaho. She was the third daughter of Lew Wallace Davis and Ethelyn Rice Davis. She is survived by her siblings, Margery Browning of Portland, Oregon and Herbert Davis (Maxine) of Salt Lake City, Utah. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleve Marler Tibbbitts (February 24, 2008) and a sister, Donna Scoville. Betty and Cleve had six children, Camille Bushman (Lynn), Lou Ann Larsen (Wade), Marsha Tadje (Rob), Joan Siddoway (Frank), Evan Tibbitts (Linda), and Myra Lurker (Bob). She is also survived by 23 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.


Betty resided in the St. Anthony area for her entire 90-year life. She attended schools in St. Anthony, and graduated from South Fremont High School in 1941. She studied piano from an early age and always enjoyed musical activities. She enjoyed singing with and accompanying choral groups. While in high school, she became well-acquainted with her future husband, Cleve Tibbitts, who played the French horn and was a member of the marching band. Betty and Cleve dated for three years in high school and, with the advent of World War II, their relationship developed from afar as Cleve was stationed at Ft. Douglas in the U. S. Army and Betty worked for Northrop Air Craft in essential services. As War War II was drawing to a conclusion, Betty and Cleve traveled to Salt Lake City and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Betty's 21st birthday. Cleve and Betty lived in Salt Lake while Cleve attended the University of Utah and, after his graduation, they moved back to St. Anthony, where Cleve worked in the family business, B. M. Tibbitts and Sons. Betty supported Cleve and was a true partner in his success.

Betty was actively involved in church and community activities. Her church services included leadership positions in the Ward and Stake Relief Societies, and she served as a Ward and Stake organist. Briefly, she helped with music at the Idaho Youth Training Center, and she was a volunteer at the Family History Center. She was involved in county, city, and school elections for 35 years. She shared her musical talents as a member of the Mello-Daires and directed the group for 35 of her 50 years as part of the organization. A highlight of Betty's life was to join her oldest grand-daugther, a soprano in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, as the choir rehearsed for an upcoming performance. Betty and her late husband, Cleve, served an 18-month mission in Adelaide, Australia. They were also able to travel together to Hawaii, the Holy Land, Mexico, and to parts of Europe.


Betty is probably best remembered for her many talents and her love of service. She loved connecting with friends and family as she traveled near and far. Betty celebrated her 90th birthday just last month, where her many personal talents were on display . This last birthday was a special occasion for her, and it was an opportunity for all who loved her to honor her and to pay tribute to her remarkable life. She was cherished by her children and extended family, and she will be missed.


Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Chapel at 145 East 100 North, St. Anthony, Idaho. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 3, from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Bert Flamm Mortuary, 581 East 1st North, St. Anthony, Idaho and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the St. Anthony Riverview Cemetery.


The family suggests that donations be made to The Idaho Division of Special Olympics (idso.org); The Development Workshop, Inc. (dwinc.org), 275 Stationary Place, Rexburg, Idaho 83441; The LDS Church's Perpetual Education Fund, and The LDS Church's Missionary Fund.