Beverly Okelberry

Hazelton- Beverly Jean Okelberry, 88, of Hazelton, Idaho slipped away peacefully from this life on Saturday November 5, 2016. She passed at her home in Hazelton, just eighteen days after the passing of her husband.

Beverly was the first child of John Larson and Nellie Killian. Bev was born on December 27, 1927 in McGill, NV. Bev's family moved from McGill to Salem, UT, Logan UT, and then Rigby, ID following wherever work took them. Beverly enjoyed playing jacks, jumping rope, and riding a horse on Grandma Killian's farm.  She attended school in Rigby. The family moved to Murtaugh, ID, where Bev graduated from High School. She fell in love with her sweetheart, John Okelberry, and was married December of 1945. Their marriage was later solemnized in March of 1951 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Beverly worked in Murtaugh at Thorn's grocery store and as a switch board operator.

In 1964 Bev and John sold their home and moved to Hazelton to farm full time.  Bev's responsibilities on the farm were bookkeeping, managing, and training the hoeing crew.  Bev served in many positions in the LDS church throughout her life, with compassionate service being her favorite. She would make quilts, prepare meals, and comfort those in need.  In 1996 Bev and John served a one year mission to the Orlando, FL Temple.

Beverly’s hobbies included cooking, making blankets and quilts, traveling with John, collecting beanie babies, and shopping at The Paris and Macy's. Her greatest joy came in the form of grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren and knew each one personally. Her favorite Sunday afternoon consisted of feeding a house full of family where they would eat steak, shrimp, and rolls. Dinner was then followed by a game of baseball in the backyard. Beverly lived a full and meaningful life, an example of enduring to the end.

Bev is survived by her children, Alan (Cheryl) of Twin Falls, Mark (Cheryl) of Hazelton, and Patsy (Doug) Barnes of Topeka, KS; her sister, Pat Olsen of West Jordan, UT; her brother, Darwin Olsen of Provo, UT, as well as 17 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her step-father; her husband of 70 years, John Okelberry; three siblings, Yvonne, Larry and Connel; and one grandson, Nathan.

A visitation will be held Friday evening, November 18, 2016, at the Hazelton LDS Church, 531 Middleton Ave, Hazelton, where family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. , Saturday November 19, 2016 , also at the Hazelton LDS Chapel, with Bishop Ray Moon officiating.  A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  Interment will follow in the Hazelton Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome.