(January 31, 1922 - November 2, 2011)
“Walking in Heaven’s Beauty”
A heavenly reunion of epic proportions occurred November 2nd, the day Grandpa could no longer bear to be without his eternal sweetheart and called Grandma home. Grandma passed away peacefully on November 2, 2011, surrounded by those who love her most, at the young age of 89. Grandma was born on January 31, 1922 in Ephraim, Utah to the blessed parents of Folmer and Alice Mae Dalton Bertelson; she was the only daughter in a family of four brothers who loved and adored her.Grandma was raised in Ephraim and would often recite fond memories of growing up at her father’s family market. It was at Folmer’s Market that Grandma learned her unwavering work ethic that served her well as she was most proud of paying for her own college education by delivering the local newspaper. Grandma was the Senior Class President at Snow College and a popular cheerleader which gave Grandpa little chance of escaping her profound beauty and charismatic personality. Grandpa would always admit he married way out of his league. It was on the tennis courts of Snow College where she met the love of her life, Bryce Lamar Hinckley. They were married February 1st, 1942 in Ephraim, UT and later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were inseparable for 67 years until Grandpa passed away in 2009, not a day went by that she did not express her deep love for him and welcomed the day they would be together again. We are so happy she is now in the loving arms of her cowboy.
She had an immense love for the outdoors and accompanied Grandpa on many deer hunts over the years. Grandma had a reputation of wandering off, captured by natures beauty, many times miles from camp. Grandpa always worried and when she returned greeted her with his famous phrase “Dammit Janet”. Grandma loved long road trips and scenic car rides; she never wanted to fly because she wouldn’t be able to see God’s beautiful country. Grandma was a devoted Democrat and had strong political opinions which fueled animated political debates, but she was very clear that she would be voting for Romney in 2012. Another favorite of Grandma’s was looking at houses with her daughter and granddaughter; she has even been known to crawl through open windows to see the inside of a home. I think that’s called breaking and entering Grandma! Grandma always had full cookie jar for visitors and shared her unmatched divinity candy and maple bars during Christmas time. She was quite the party planner and always had the most amazing Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas Eve parties. Everyone was welcome at Grandma’s house for the holidays and nobody left without a gift. Grandma could never sit still and was constantly on the go, even in her final days the nurses struggled to keep up with her vibrant spirit.
Grandma’s favorite things in life were her handsome husband, diet Coke, chocolate, McDonalds cinnamon melts, lip stick, M*A*S*H reruns, the BYU cougars, Utah Jazz, her study group and friends in the Ephraim Club. Grandma lived life to the fullest but she cherished nothing more than being a mother to her three children and the special relationship she shared with each of them. She adored each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved passing out dollar bills with Grandpa, sleep over’s, and bedtime stories in Grandma’s bed. They were the light of her life. We will miss Grandma’s iconic quotes, “oh, hell Bryce”, “let me buy you dinner”, and “please don’t leave”. We know you are not far away Grandma and loving us from above, but always remember, we love you more!
Grandma is survived by her devoted and loving children, Craig (Kelly) Hinckley of Riverton; Diane (Brent) Mears of Sandy; JoAnn (Dave) Doezie of Sandy; 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by the love of her life, Bryce Hinckley; her parents, Folmer and Alice Bertelson; four brothers, Dwight, Chad, Bryce, and Arlo; daughter-in-law, Terri Hinckley; and great-grandson, Mavryk Meine. The family would like to thank her dear friend, Harold Martin, for making the last years of her life so happy and keeping her beautiful smile on her face and her blue eyes twinkling. We’d also like to thank the staff at Alta Ridge for their wonderful care and love they showed to Grandma during the last year of her life. She loved you like family and will always be your president.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Winder 7th Ward, 4350 So. 1100 E. A viewing will be Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State Street, and Tuesday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment: Elysian Burial Gardens.
