Verda Bateman

Verda May Bateman, 87, passed away Feb, 21, 2012. She was born on Dec. 13, 1924 in Chaplin, Idaho to John W and Hattie May Williams.

She learned to work hard on the family farm and loved horses, which were her transportation to school for many years. She graduated from high school in Driggs, Idaho and went on to Logan to attend college.

During her second year at USU she met Reynold W. Bateman, whom she married in June 1946. She and Reynold lived on a dairy farm in Etna and raised all of their family there. Etna was always her home after marriage till August 2011 when she went to live with her daughter, Brenda Dille, In Burley, Idaho.

Verda was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent her whole life serving in many church callings, including teacher in almost every organization, and primary and YW President and a counselor in the RS Presidency. She especially loved teaching the Blazer Scouts and did many outings with them. For many years she also served as ward librarian while holding many other callings, including being a visiting teacher all of her years.

The 4-H program was a big part of her life. She loved teaching it and working with the great adult leaders and was able to enjoy some fun trips with them. She not only taught but served on the 4-H council in many positions. While her children were growing up, she helped them to achieve many accomplishments in 4-H.

She loved spending time with her family and used her talents and abilities with gardening, sewing, and cooking to bless the lives of family and friends. Additional hobbies included reading, teaching and working hard.

Reynold loved to travel so they were able to take a couple of foreign trips as well as many camping, hunting and fishing trips close by with friends or family members.

Serving in the Idaho Falls Temple and day a month with her husband for 17 years was a choice experience. They also served an LDS Mission to Ohio.

A celebration of their 50 years of marriage took place in June of 1996, joust one year prior to Reynold's death.

For many years Verda was a member of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and served as Captain in her local camp as four years. She always encouraged her daughters to become a part of this in their areas.

Another great love was her work in the family history extraction program. During her later years she spent a lot of time collecting family histories of ancestors. Writing an extensive history herself is a choice gift she left to her descendants.

Verda was preceded in death by her husband Reynold, a son, John, a grandson, there brothers and her parents.

She is survived by four children: Lynette (Gene) Peterson of Rexburg, Idaho: Brenda (Neil) Dillie of Burley, Idaho; Kathleen (Roy) Schatz of Basin, Wyo; Lance (Becky) Bateman of Etna; Holly, (wife of her son John) of Etna; two sisters, LaRie (Jay) Sutton of St. Anthony, Idaho, and Lois Seelig, Greeley, Colo; 27 grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held, Saturday, March 3, 2012 at noon in the Etna LDS Church. A viewing will take place from 10-11:45 a.m. prior to the services.