Betty "Jean" Barrows Clem,, 83, passed away on March 22, 2012 at the home of her daughter, Terri Thurman of Grover.
She was born Aug 19, 1928 in Shelley, Idaho to Francis Leo Barrows and Vessie viola Landon. She was the oldest child of 10 children.
The family moved to Seattle during World War II, where she met William "Bill" Columbus Clem, a sailor on leave. She married him on Sept 11, 1946 in Seattle.
Two of their children were born in Seattle and then they moved to Harmon, Okla, to live on a farm where four more children were born. seven years of drought caused them to move from Oklahoma to Texas where Bill wormed for Dowell an oil company. After three years they transferred to Woodward, Okla. There she raised her children. She was active in her Woodward, Okla., Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints and served in many church callings. She strengthened her testimony and taught her children the importance of attending church and trusting in Heavenly Father.
She divorced Bill and moved to Idaho Falls in Aug 1971.
She went to school and gained employment as a Bookkeeper and Secretary for Wright Oil and Tire Company, where she worked for 15 years. In 1987 she served in the California, Arcadia Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After her mission she worked in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple for six years. In her later years, she lived with her daughter, Terri Thurman, in Grover, who gave her tender, loving care.
She loved and enjoyed her family and many friends. She also loved doing genealogy, sewing, reading and studying political issues. She was active in the Idaho Falls Central stake, 22nd Ward. She held many church callings and served them with all her heart. She will really be missed by her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and her many friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Vessie Landon Barrows; two sisters, three brothers, one grandchild, two great grandchildren and one son-in- law, Stewart Thurman.
She is survived by six children; Terrilynn Thurman of Grover; Kenneth Jay (Diana) Clem of Beeville, Texas; Dianne Marie (Darl) Hirschi of Logan, William Ray (Trudy) Clem of Ucon, Idaho; Randall Eugene (Barbara) Clem of Kaysville; and Homer Francis (Diane) Clem of Layton; 29 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.
She is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Steadman of Wellston, Okla.; and Nina (John) Patricelli of Seattle; two brothers, LaMar (Anita) Barrows of Seattle; and Ronald (Karen) Barrows of Basalt, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held in Idaho Falls. Interment took place in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Shelley Idaho.

Clem, Betty (Jean) Barrows (22 Mar 2012)Star Valley Independent