Betty Jensen Sitton, 94, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2020 in Gilbert, Arizona. She was born to Hans and Adella Jensen on May 19, 1925 in Monticello, Utah.
Betty’s early childhood was spent during the Great Depression. She grew up in Monticello being very much a “tom boy” as there were no neighborhood girls her age. She loved doing things with the boys, wearing bib overalls, going barefoot, exploring, playing marbles. She was always thankful for her Monticello heritage and made many lifelong friends there. She loved San Juan County, UT.
After graduation from Monticello High School in 1943, she moved to Salt Lake City, UT to attend L.D.S. Business college. After completion, she went to work for the Department of the Interior in Monticello. During the war she left to work for the Los Angeles Port of Embarkation in Long Beach, CA. After the war ended, she continued her studies at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She became engaged to Robert Noel Sitton who was also attending the University after serving in the Army. Coincidentally the Jensen’s and Sitton’s lived next door to each other in Monticello.
Betty & Robert were married July 1, 1948 in Monticello. They returned from school to live there so Robert could help his ailing father with the family business. In 1952, the family sold everything to purchase a cattle ranch outside Phoenix, AZ. The family pursued other business opportunities in Arizona and California.
In 1961, the Sitton’s settled in Scottsdale, AZ. Betty enjoyed the warmth and beauty of the Arizona desert. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend. Family meant everything to her.
Later in life she developed a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and became a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She never complained, no matter the circumstances and always looked for the good in others.
After Robert’s death in 2000, Betty spent the rest of her life in Mesa, AZ at Leisure World Retirement Community. She enjoyed friendships and volunteering.
Betty is survived by her sweet sister Dawn Boyle, children Sonja (Klaus) King-Christ, Susan (Roscoe) Black, R. Regan (Cindy) Sitton, Noel Sitton; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert, her mother and father and siblings, Fawn Somerville, Ned Jensen, and Rex Buckley Jensen.
Services are pending with interment at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, AZ 85297.
In lieu of flowers, do something nice for a stranger or help someone in need.
Card of thanks
The Family extends a special thanks to the kind staff and nurses at Seasons Hospice, caregivers Marlon, Annette, and Rio, Bishop Hixon, various ward members and friends, Mulligan the service dog who visited often and Bunker Family Funeral Homes.
.Nice Regan
Love and forever misses grandmother!! You are loved.
Betty was my neighbor for years and a dear friend as she was to many others. Betty was always sweet, kind and very caring and considerate of others. Betty will be missed! Betty was my close friend and I’ll miss her very much! May the Lord embrace you in His loving arms my dear friend. I’ll miss your lovely smile. Lots of love, Amanda
I will forever miss my dear friend Betty. One day, years ago, when I moved to Leisure World I rang Betty ‘s door bell. She embraced me and said, “I am so glad you are here.” We had a precious relationship from that day on.
Betty is so loved by all of us at Leisure World. I have only known Betty since 2012 but that has surely blessed me. She is so upbeat and kind to everyone. Since she left Leisure World I have the pleasure of visiting her several time with other ladies. We took to her favorite Dairy Queen a few months ago and it was a joyous occasion for all of us. I surely know she is happily spending time with her family members now and looking forward to the future when all her earthly one will join her in Heaven. Love you Betty and wish blessings to her family in their temporary sorrows.
I loved Aunt Betty. As a young boy I remember how she sparkled and her personality never dimmed. She always made me feel so welcome and important. I visited her several years ago at Leisure World when she was in her 90s. She still sparkled. Thank you Betty for your smile, warmth, and energy. Love you tons and tons. Steve Jensen
Betty was a dear friend whom I first met in 2013 when I moved to Leisure World. I met her at church, and learned that she was driving people to their appointments. Then I began attending water aerobics each morning, where she was a regular, until she had to leave Leisure World. She went to many activities, and just loved life and everyone around her. Her smile made us all smile. We miss her.
My Condolences to Betty’s family!!! Betty was loved by all who knew her and immediately became her good friends. She loved life and doing for others anyway she could. A lovely lady and sparkle…. she did!
My mother, Kathern Hansen Marks was a good friend of Bob and Betty growing up in Monticello. She just heard of her passing and was sad to hear about it. My mom is 93 and would love to hear from her daughter Sonia if you could please give her my email. I just read my mom her obituary and she reminisced about their times together over the years. She’d love to share those memories with her.
Thank you!
Debbie Marks Hope
Betty and I had a friendship that lasted from the time we were in school together in Monticello. We were cheerleaders in high school, went to Salt Lake for school, and lived in Long Beach, Calif. at the same time. Our kids played together on the beach of San Clemente, and we spent hours on the phone, just laughing and reminiscing. My last visit was in Gilbert just a little over a year ago. She still laughed and loved all people. I tried so hard to find where she was when just a short time later, no one answered her phone. I finally contacted my cousin Bill Halls who lives in Leisure world, and found out she had gone to a “better place!”
I loved your mother and dad too. I have many treasured memories of both of them. Many condolences to her sweet family who she adored! Bless you all for the love you gave her in return. She was an angel walking among us and I will miss her laughter and the joy she gave to everyone!!! Love, Kay Marks
My family and I were not aware that Aunt Betty died. We are so sorry we weren’t at her funeral.
We send our love. Judy, Jana, Eric, Loren, Alison and Raelene.
RIP Grandmother