Betty June Hawker was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She returned to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 11, 2022 at the age of 84.
She was born to Frank and Annie Wirick on March 19, 1937 in Marysville, Idaho at Grandma Wahlen’s home on laundry day. She was the youngest of 9 children. The family moved to Blackfoot when she was 4 years old. Her childhood was spent outdoors exploring far and wide with family and friends. She loved being outdoors to the end. Her two favorite places were her own garden or on the beach watching the waves. After graduating high school, she attended business school.
Betty was married to Carlyn Lyle Denlinger from 1959-1980 and Dallas Clarence Hawker from 1983-2022. She was the mother of six children; Lark, Rebecca, Valerie, Diane, David, and Cynthia. She enjoyed her step-children; Randy, Rick, Rod, Vickie, Rodger, Christine, and Angela. Betty and Dallas also welcomed Sheila into our family. Her heart rejoiced with the announcement and arrival of each grandchild and great-grandchild. She kept a chart with each birthday and sent cards each year for as long as she could. The only regret she ever mentioned was that she didn’t have more children.
She believed in being industrious. Her first job was working in the potato fields of Eastern Idaho at the age of 14. She then worked as a soda jerk, usher at the movie theater, telephone operator, bookkeeper, daycare provider, driver of a senior citizen bus, and a potato sorter at an experimental station. As an empty nester, she went back to school to become a massage therapist. She enjoyed giving massages to family and friends. She was always learning and loved to read. There were full book shelves in every room of the house.
Betty and Dallas loved to travel together. They went to Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, New Hampshire, New York, and Massachusetts. However, more than anything she loved being with family.
She received a love of Jesus Christ at a young age and remained firm to her testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel all her days.
We will miss her smile, spunky personality, and witty conversation.