Betty Jean Schwartz

Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Betty Jean Loftus Schwartz returned to her heavenly home December 16, 2024, at the age of 95.

She was born on August 11, 1929, to James Elmer Loftus and Ellen Rebecca King in Moore, Idaho. She was the first of eight children, followed by Eldon Dean, Owen, Lynn K., Phillip Earl, James Gary, Naomi, and William Robert.

Betty attended Moore Elementary school where she skipped the second grade because she was so smart. She grew up on farms in Leslie and Moore, Idaho. On her birthday, she was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Lost River. She graduated from Moore High School in 1946. After high school, she attended Ricks College for two years, majoring in Journalism.

She returned home to work at the General Store, where she met Wayne G. Schwartz. They were married on September 2, 1950, in Elko, Nevada, and later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on April 22, 1958. They purchased a farm in Darlington, Idaho, where most of their children were raised.

She worked as a dietitian at the Lost River Hospital for many years and served as the president of the Idaho Dietary Association. Betty loved the Church and had the opportunity to serve in many callings, with her favorite being working with the Young Women, especially at Girls Camp. She served two missions for the Church, one in Arizona and another in Russia. Additionally, she served as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple for many years.

She was a wonderful cook. Everyone enjoyed going to her home, especially around Christmas time, to enjoy her many wonderful holiday foods. She loved to travel and visited Israel, China, England, Ireland, and several other places. Generous by nature, she found great joy in serving others and offering help whenever she could.

Her husband, Wayne, passed away in June 1990. She continued to reside in the Lost River Valley until she moved to The Gables in Idaho Falls, where she lived until her passing.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne; her daughter, Gayla Schwartz Proffit; her daughter-in-law, Sue Nichols Schwartz; her parents, Elmer and Ellen Loftus; her siblings, Eldon Loftus, Owen Loftus, Earl Loftus, Gary Loftus, and William Loftus; her sisters-in-law, Rosanne Schwartz, Ruby Schwartz, Renee Richardson, and Joyce Perks Loftus; her brother-in-law, Eldon Schwartz; and a grandchild and two great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children: Steven Wayne Schwartz of Monroe, Michigan; (Mike) Proffit of Katy, Texas; Julie Ann (Greg) Montgomery of Price, Utah; Terry Lynn (Cindy) Schwartz of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Belva Eileen (Joel) Andersen of Moore, Idaho; Randall (Markette) Schwartz of Saratoga Springs, Utah; Jeffrey Blair (Angie) Schwartz of Kennewick, Washington; her brother, Lynn (Nelda) Loftus; her sister, Naomi Loftus Kleinlein; sisters-in-law, Gloria Loftus, Betty Loftus, Marilyn (Alan) Corbett, and Joanne Schwartz; brothers-in-law, Robert (Barbara) Schwartz and Alan (MaryAnn) Schwartz; thirty-six grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on December 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Moore Stake Center in Moore, Idaho, with a viewing prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Lost River Cemetery under the direction of Anderson Family Funeral Home.

A zoom link will be provided for those not able to attend the services and can be found at andersonfamilyfunerals.com