Betty Shurtz Schow

Betty Shurtz Schow, 85, our beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2012, of causes incident to age. Betty was born in Provo, Utah, on June 26, 1927, the fifth and youngest child of Edwin Ray and Mary Alexie Roundy Shurtz. She grew up in Escalante, Utah, in the home her father built. Mom had a keen mind and loved school. She attended Brigham Young University and LDS Business College. On March 14, 1947, Betty married her childhood sweetheart, Blake Schow, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They attended school in Cedar City and then made their home in Salt Lake City where they raised their children.

Betty was employed at the Veteran's Administration Hospital as a medical transcriptionist and retired in 1980. She was a hard worker and took pride in doing an impeccable job. She bowled on a league for several years. Mom was known for her beautiful handwork and enjoyed crocheting, knitting, tying quilts, and other needlework. Blake and Betty owned a boat, and she was "The Captain". Together they enjoyed camping, fishing, and travelling. Dancing was another activity Mom and Dad loved, and they belonged to several round and square dancing clubs. In later years, they spent winters in Yuma, Arizona, and St. George, Utah, where they made many close friends. Some of her dearest and enduring friends were part of a neighborhood club that was formed almost 60 years ago.

Mom served in the LDS church as a Sunday School Teacher, ward and stake Young Women's Secretary, and Relief Society Quilt Coordinator.

Betty is survived by her dear sister, Vivian Collard; children, Doug (Marsha) Schow of Portland, Oregon, Jeri (Mark) Russell of Sandy, Utah, Linda (Dennis) Shaffer of Murray, Utah, and Jan (Dale) Barnes of Rexburg, Idaho; 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Blake; son, Tony Ray; her parents; brothers, Edwin Beryl, Doyle Park, and Lorenzo Chase.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 1:00pm at the Valley View 3rd Ward, 1925 East Gunderson Lane (approx. 4100 South). Friends and family can visit Friday evening at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church Saturday 11:00am-12:30pm prior to the service. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens. Messages for the family can be posted at: www.HolbrookMortuary.com

The family expresses our heartfelt love and appreciation to the caregivers at Beehive Homes in Centerville where mom spent the last year of her life with her sister. Many thanks also to the hospice staff of Hospice of Utah for their loving care of mom.