Oct. 19, 1928 - Dec. 2, 2016
Date of Service: Dec. 10, 2016
Betty Lou Morton
BURLEY - At about 1:25 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2016, Betty Lou Morton, was granted a long-held wish while in the presence of loved-ones. She died as she lived; with grace, great dignity, and peacefully. She departed this world to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, husband and daughter. Mom will surely be missed because she brought joy, love and happiness to many people.
Mom was born Oct. 19, 1928, to Lewis A. And Hannah E. Hicks. She had three siblings, Margaret Ellen, William Allen, and Melva Gene. They lived in Eden for a few years before moving to Paul. Mom attended elementary and junior high before graduating from Paul High School in 1946. On June 1, 1947, Mom married her dance partner, Lyle Raymond Morton. Mom & Dad loved dancing to the big band sounds at the Y-Dell Bowl. To his union came three children, Vona Gene, Gaylen Wayne, and Ray Lynn.
Mom loved to help her daughter Vona with her special education students. She and Vona would take the kids on a week-long campout to Lake Alturas, which was something they all enjoyed.
She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church and she served for a few years on the church board as well as being the membership chairwoman. She loved her luncheons with her fellow United Methodist women.
Mom served the American Legion as auxiliary president. She loved serving her country in this capacity. She spent several years picking high school juniors to go to Girls State. When Mom wasn’t doing church and legion activities or helping a friend in need, there was time to play Bridge with the girls. Her time on Friday morning was spent with friends at the Masonic Temple having coffee and talking. One of Mom’s biggest passions was her politics. She loved helping local and state politicians with campaigning and setting up local functions. She worked elections for Cassia county for many years. Mom was very devoted to her sister, Melva Gene. They enjoyed their phone calls that they made to each other weekly.
Mom is survived by her two sons, Gaylen (Cathleen) Morton of Blackfoot, and Ray (Cindy & Emi) Morton of Nampa; five grandchildren, Jeff (Danielle) Morton of Kuna, Brian (Heidi) Taylor of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Andrea (Travis) Payne of Pingree, Josh Hill of Idaho Falls, and Amanday Clay of Firth; six great-grandchildren, Dakota, Sierra, Jackson, Nathan, Trigger, and Charlotte Marie; her sister, Melva (Corwyn) Tilley of Idaho Falls; and several nieces and nephews.
Mom was predeceased by her husband, Lyle Raymond; daughter, Vona Gene; parents, Lewis A. And Hannah E. Hicks; sister, Margaret Ellen; brother, William Allen; and many others.
A celebration of life with lunch following will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Burley Methodist Church, 450 E. 27th St., in Burley, with The Reverend Dr. D. Scott Allen officiating.
Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. Saturday, preceding the service at the church.
Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Pleasant View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Lyle Raymond Morton Post #17, your local Special Olympics, or the Burley United Methodist Church.
The family would gratefully like to thank the wonderful ICU team, Dr. Wayne Blauer and his staff from Cassia Memorial Hospital, as well as Intermountain Hospice and their wonderful staff for the outstanding care and support of our mother in her last days.
The family would also like to thank mother’s neighbor and angel, Dale Damron, for his constant care and vigilance of Betty these past years.
