Harriett Waters

Harriett Hall Waters passed away peacefully surrounded by family members at her son’s home in Twin Falls, Idaho September 17, 2017. She was born June 9, 1924 to Riley and Mina Bitton Hall at home near Annis, Jefferson County, Idaho.  She was the 7th of 9 children. Her mother passed away when Harriett was 4 years old. Her oldest sister took over the responsibilities of Mom. They were taught while they were young to work and help out around the house and farm.

She attended school at Annis Elementary and graduated from Midway High School. She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 14 along with her  father and 2 other sisters in 1938.

Harriett met the love of her life, Delbert Waters, at the roller skating rink in 1942 and was married May 12, 1944 in the Logan LDS Temple. Seven months later Delbert was shipped to Fort Roberts, California for boot camp. She hitched a ride with a gal and shared living arrangements in California while Delbert was in camp. She worked at JC Penny’s while she was there.

Later after Delbert was deployed in the war, she returned home to Idaho Falls and worked at Montgomery Ward. After Delbert was honorably discharged in 1946 they continued farming. Debi was born in May of 1947. In June of that year, they drew a farm at the Hunt Relocation Camp in Jerome County, Idaho. Thus began their lifetime adventure. That first Christmas morning she woke up to snow on her pillow. She had to stuff rags into the cracks in the windows before she would fix breakfast for Delbert.

They had 5 more children in the next several years. Greg was born in August of 1950, followed by Randy in August of 1952, Harold came along in April of 1955 with Burke coming in May of 1959, and then Tim in June of 1962 completing their family. Harriett was room mother for all of her kids in school and supported all their church and school activities.

Harriett worked right alongside Delbert on the farm. She helped hoe, thin and dig beets, hoe beans, take care of the livestock, irrigate, and although she did it, she hated driving truck. She also fixed many meals for everyone that was there helping out on the farm for many years.

Mom and Dad loved to travel to see their children and many other sites. Some of her favorite memories were camping with the Hall and Hunting families at reunions.

She had many hobbies. She loved gardening, raising flowers, embroidering, and making Books of Remembrances for all her children and grandchildren. She loved to quilt and made many quilts and gave most of them away. She was also known for her homemade Christmas candy. She was very particular about her yard and flower beds. Up until she passed away, her yards were beautifully manicured. For many years she had people stop at the house and want to get flowers to make bouquets for Memorial Day and also asked for starts of her many flowers.

Her first job after her children were in school was working at the elections polls in the Eden Precinct.  Then she worked for the Jerome County Extension agent searching out all the peach trees in the county checking for aphids. The last job she held was watering plants at Moss Green house for 14 years. It was a dream job for her to be able to work and care for beautiful flowers.

Harriett was preceded in death by her parents, Riley and Mina Hall; all of her siblings: Eva Davey, Jay Hall, Bertha Hardcastle, Audrey Hunting, Blaine Hall, Dora Jockumsen, Lorraine Jacobsen, and Don Riley Hall;  the love of her life, Delbert Enos Waters; her son, Greg Waters; granddaughter, Toni Waters; great granddaughter, Cloe Smith; and great grandson, Keaton Howard.

She is survived by her children, Debi Waters of California; Maureen Waters (wife of deceased son Greg Waters) of Utah; Randy Waters (Jeanette) of Hunt, Idaho; Harold Waters (Merilee) of Twin Falls, Idaho; Burke Waters (Luanne) of Hunt, Idaho; and Tim Waters (Linda) of Hunt, Idaho; 26 grandchildren and their spouses; 51 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing Friday September 22, 2017 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Hazelton LDS Church on Middleton Ave. Services will be held Saturday September 23, 2017 at 11:00 am also at the Hazelton LDS Church with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am before the service.

We want to thank the daughters-in-law for all the help and support they gave helping Mom to get to doctor appointments, taking her to ball games and so many other things. We also want to thank Debi for calling Mom every Sunday night to check on her, as well as helping Mom take such good care of Dad for 6 months before his death. Thank you to our good friends and neighbors for all the compassion they showed with food, phone calls and visits. Thank you so much.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Harriett's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.