Betty Lou Funk

Betty Lou Funk passed away on May 27, 2025, in Meridian, Idaho. She was born to Sam and Ella Neuman on September 12, 1932, in Aberdeen, Idaho. She was the first of three children and lived near Aberdeen, on their Dairy Farm.

Betty attended Aberdeen Public Schools and graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1950. She played alto saxophone in the High School Band and was valedictorian of her senior class at graduation. After high school, Betty attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha, Nebraska, for one year. Then, she returned home to Aberdeen, where she worked as a teller at First Security Bank.

Not long after her return from college, she met her future husband, Raymond (Ray) Funk of Aberdeen. They were married at the First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen on February 20, 1953. Soon after, Betty and Ray began farming with Ray’s father, Herman Funk, and later started the R bar B Ranch south of Aberdeen. Betty was the farm bookkeeper and business manager. They kept farming until retirement in the 1980s.

Betty loved gardening. She had a sizable yard and kept up the lawns and all the landscaping. For most of their time there, she also maintained a vegetable garden that was almost 60 feet long. She grew and preserved most of the garden produce for the family. And if that wasn't enough to do, she could occasionally be found driving trucks for harvest time, and she even operated a tractor and disc plow in a few harvests.

Betty was an accomplished pianist and organist. For most of her adult life in Aberdeen, she served as one of the organists at Aberdeen First Mennonite Church. Her living room became her piano studio, where she taught lessons, and many of those young people still play piano. Betty also served as organist for the First Mennonite Church choir and played for many weddings and funerals.

When Betty and Ray became empty nesters, it was the perfect opportunity for travel during the cold months. This was when her husband, Ray, realized his lifelong dream of owning and flying his own airplane. Betty also took lessons and became an accomplished pilot. They were members of International Flying Farmers, and one year, Mom was named Flying Farmers Queen at the regional convention. Eventually, the couple would retire from farming. At first, they lived in Salem, Oregon, but eventually established themselves in Eagle, Idaho, near their grandchildren, where they enjoyed doting on them and creating priceless, irreplaceable memories. They also became active members of Boise First United Methodist Church, Cathedral of the Rockies. Betty enjoyed the church’s expansive music program, and she and Ray were active members until they relocated to senior living in Meridian, Idaho, in 2015. Then, in 2019, Betty transferred from independent living to assisted living.

Preceding her in death were her husband Raymond Funk; her parents, Sam and Ella Neuman; siblings Lorretta Zook and Ray Neuman; sister in-law Euleda Auernig; and brother in-law Kenneth Funk.

Betty is survived by her children, Clayton Funk of Columbus, Ohio; Margo (Rod) Riggs of Eagle, Idaho; and Michael (Claudia Jasin) Funk of Sacramento, California. Her grandchildren include Keely (Tim) Wolfe, Callysta (Trever) Johnston, Ty Funk, Cory Funk, and Cody (Melina) Funk, all of Meridian, Idaho; and Janay Jasin of Sacramento, California. She also has five great-grandchildren.

The Funeral service will be held at 11:30 am on Monday, June 30, at The Cathedral of the Rockies, 717 N. 11th St, Boise, ID 83702, in the Cana Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift contribution to “[brackets],” a non-profit organization founded by Melina Funk that empowers community members, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities toward an inclusive future through a multitude of supports. bracketsidaho.com.