Trip for Grandpa

by Matt

Last weekend we traveled to SLC to attend my grandfather’s funeral.  He passed to the next life at the grand age of ninety-three.  We drove down on Thursday and back on Monday/Tuesday.  It really was a great trip, despite the circumstances.  We have been expecting Grandpa to pass for quite some time and while I was sad to lose him I am happy that he can finally be at peace.  I still remember his question to me when I visited him in December:  “Why does it take so much pain to get out of this life?”

We were also lucky enough to spend considerable time with each of our immediate families and much of the Bettilyon extended family.

We went to Grandpa’s viewing on Friday and it was really great to catch up with all my cousins.  We really enjoyed seeing Amy and Danny, we used to be in the same ward in Taylorsville, and we would often just pop in on each other’s houses for a chat or a game.  They’re in Surprise, AZ now and I don’t think I’ve seen either of them since we moved to Grand Junction in 2004. 

On Saturday we attended the funeral.  My Uncle Mike spoke and shared some highlights from Grandpa’s life.  I learned some things I didn’t know before:

• Grandpa was a woodworker.  One of his prized possessions was a rose carved on a flat section of wood.  I remember seeing it on his wall in his home but I never knew he was the one who carved it. 
• Grandpa served his first mission to Argentina, but was called to speak German and to preach to German refugees in Argentina.  learning the language was extremely difficult for him – there were only 4 missionaries in the entire mission who were speaking German.  He ended up learning both German and Spanish in the process.
• When Grandpa arrived home he was immediately drafted into the military.  He met Grandma Nadine after being home for a week and after another week they were engaged, then he departed to basic training.
• When Grandpa was stationed in Olympia, he suffered an accident in a jeep rollover and his knee was injured.  He always felt it a blessing because he was able to go home and marry his sweetheart while he was ‘off.’  He paid for this injury in later years.  Poor Grandma orchestrated her own wedding, reception, photographer, cake, etc., in a 2 week period and even sewed her own wedding dress.  They were married and grandpa moved back to Washington.
• Grandpa applied to serve in intelligence because he was fluent in German. He was accepted to serve in this capacity, so he was able to move to Washington D.C. with his new bride.  He always struggled with this because one of his very close friends from his group in Olympia was killed in combat a short time later – almost all of his group were killed in combat.
• Grandpa was upset and frustrated at the onset of his mission because he had to learn German in such bizarre circumstances.  He felt humbled for much of his life as he realized that Heavenly Father was preparing him to be safe during WWII. 

Following the service, we drove to the graveside where he was buried.  It was a clear, beautiful and nearly warm winter day in Salt Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A paste of his obituary:

1918 ~ 2012
Verden Elliot Bettilyon, 93, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2012 in his Salt Lake City home. Verd was born December 18, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Verden Allen Bettilyon and Sarah Janet Winward.
     Verd lived a full life, filled with service to his family, church, country and community. At age 16 he graduated from South High School. He attended the University of Utah until his mission call to Argentina at age 19. Verd learned both German and Spanish, working primarily with German immigrants in Argentina. After his mission, he was drafted into the US Army, rising to the rank of Captain. During WWII he worked for US Military Intelligence translating German military documents.
     On October 30, 1942, Verd married his sweetheart, Nadine Brinton in the Salt Lake Temple. In 1949, Verd completed law school and practiced law for many years, focusing primarily on real estate matters.
     Verd served in various callings in the LDS Church, including Bishop, member of the High Council and Counselor in three different Stake Presidencies.
Verd and Nadine loved to camp, fish, and boat. Their children have fond memories of trips to Flaming Gorge, Lake Powell and many National Parks.
     From 1969 to 1972, Verd served as Mission President in the Argentina South Mission, where he met many fine missionaries and made many friends. Upon his return, he became in-house counsel for the Dahnken chain of jewelry stores. He later returned to private practice.
     After retiring in 1989, Verd and Nadine served two additional LDS missions, to Spain and Guatemala. They also traveled and spent time with their children and grandchildren.
     After the death of his beloved wife Nadine, Verd married a lifelong family friend, Ruth May Crane. Ruth and Verd have enjoyed each other’s companionship for eleven years. The family would like to express appreciation to Ruth for her kindness and tender care for Verd as his health has declined. The family would also like to thank Lei Fotu and her loving team of caregivers at Welcome Home Care as well as the Harmony Hospice team that have cared for Verd and supported the family for over a year, making it possible for Verd to remain at home, as was his wish.
     His wife Ruth Crane Bettilyon and children survive Verd: V. Lee (Tamyra), Robert (Mary Ann), Julia (Clyde) Witham, Janet (Joseph) Crane, Mark (Cristie) and Michael (Cristie M.); 35 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren.
     Verd out lived all in his immediate family and looked forward to reunions with his beloved Nadine; two deceased sons, Brint Allen and Reid Lyman; his mother and father, Sarah Janet and Verden Allen; brothers Bernard Luther and Allen Kyle and Sister Aline Ruth.
     A viewing will be at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84111 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday evening February 10, 2012. The following day, Saturday February 11, 2012, a viewing will be held from noon to 12:45 PM, with a funeral service following at 1:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary. The interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 immediately following the funeral service.