Betty May Polson

Betty May Polson, 85, of Shelley passed away Thursday February 23, 2012 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, after a sudden illness.

Betty was born on April 17, 1926 in Shelley, Idaho to John Burriss and Elsie Jemmett Dial. She attended school in the mountains of Cedar Creek in the Aldridge Community by the Cove. They have since moved the two room Aldridge school house that Betty attended down to the Bingham County Park just outside of Shelley, as a museum. Betty was flattered when she was asked to speak at a gathering there.

Betty grew up in the mountains at Cedar Creek in the Cove, by the Blackfoot River. They had a small community of neighbors in Aldridge that were able to fill their small two room school house. Betty reports that they had so much fun. There were always dances on the weekends, Christmas parties and other community gatherings in their school house. When she was not in school or doing chores Betty and her twin brother Bob would grab their fishing poles and race to the Blackfoot River. She loved to fish and loved her life.

There was no running water or electricity. They raised their own food or hunted it.  Betty learned to play guitar and accordion and played along with grandpa Jemmett.  They all played music and other games.  They were never bored.  Betty helped in the fields and orchards where they raised crops to eat and sell.  When her brother, Bob, left for the War, Betty took over his Aldreidge Post Office job.  The job was a bit different back then.  Betty delivered mail on horseback from the mountains of the Aldridge community to Firth and back.  Even in the deep snow and mud, she still had to get the mail out.  Her daughter, Peggy has followed in her mom’s steps as a mail carrier in Shelley.

Betty met the love of her life, Larry Polson, as she delivered mail and they began to date.  They were married in Pocatello, Idaho on January 5, 1945.  Larry was drafted and left for boot camp one month after getting married. Betty worked hard while he was gone in the fields and at her grandmothers rooming house.  She saved enough to buy their first car before he returned.  Betty worked at Simplot, RT French and the Pillsbury Company in Shelley for many years until she retired.

Betty and Larry raised five girls.  Betty was a wonderful mother and grandmother.  She dedictated her whole life to her family.  The light of her life was her many grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom more than anything else, she loved spending time with.  She was always playing games or helping them with whatever they needed.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She has enjoyed her home teachers over the years.

Betty enjoyed many hobbies, too many to count.  She loved her flowers and gardening.  Her yard was always full of beautiful flowers.  She loved working on beadwork and making Christmas ornaments and wreaths.  She loved oil painting and working on many craft projects and quilts for all the little kids.  She loved crocheting and doing family history.

She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren, who are hear broken and by all who knew and loved her.  We all lost our best friend in this world as Betty passed.  We are only comforted to know that she has passed to be with Jesus and her loving family, her life long love, Larry, who she shared 65 years of marriage with, her grandchild Kaleb, parents, siblings, and friends.

She is survived by her children, Sherry (Bud) Christensen of Horseshoe Bend; Lori (Erin) Boye of Shelley; Becky (Don) Frongner of Idaho Falls; Candy (Clint) MacLeod of Pocatello; and Peggy Polson of Shelley, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Thelma (Bud) Fowler, Nona (Bob) Pfiefer and her twin brother, Bob (Collee) Dial, and a great grandson, Kaleb Murphy.

Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley. The family will receive friends one hour prior the service at the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Taylor Cemetery.

The family would like to thank all of the workers, nurses and aides that were so kind on the 5

th

floor at EIRMC with a special thanks to Emily and Alyssa who are special angels and were such a comfort at this difficult time. A special thanks also to Betty’s doctors, Dr. Teresa Johnson and Dr. Stutts.