Betty Jean Wilcken

Betty Jean Ross Wilcken passed away peacefully on September 7, 2015. At 87 years old, Jean enjoyed a long and happy life and was ready to rejoin her beloved husband, George Paul Wilcken, who passed away 18 years before.
Jean was born on April 12, 1928 as Betty Jean Ross to Iven George Ross and Ruby Linett Anderson. She was the second child in a family that remained that way, until her brother Dee was adopted when Jean was 12. She considered herself part mother to him, as her own mother was busy working.
Jean met her husband, George Paul Wilcken, of Hanna, at a wedding reception in 1948. He asked her to dance and said his name was George Washington, to which she replied her name was Betsy Ross. They were married on December 18, 1948 in Vernal, Utah, and were sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple in 1957. They began married life in Roosevelt, Utah, then moved Salt Lake City and on to Pasco, Washington.
In 1963, Paul and Jean accepted a building mission call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to England. There, two chapels were constructed under Paul's supervision, while Jean managed their four children and was responsible for feeding numerous missionaries, workers and strangers who turned up at mealtimes.
The family moved several times throughout the years, but Jean spent most of her life in the Uintah Basin and has always considered it to be her home.
Jean was an avid reader, crocheter, fisherperson, camper and cook, and she had a green thumb to be envied. She always loved game shows and didn't even bother to change the channel. Jean also loved to travel. She was always up for a trip, whether it was a short one to the mountains or a long one to destinations like Australia and Hawaii.
Jean held many positions in the LDS Church, where she gave service unselfishly and uncomplainingly her whole life. Most recently, she served missions at the Vernal Temple and was a Senior Sister in the St. Louis, Missouri mission. She treasured her service in the church and set an example of selflessness for her children and grandchildren.
The last several years were spent in the Layton, Utah area, where she enjoyed many travels and family experiences in that part of Utah.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Iven George Ross and Ruby Linnet Anderson; siblings June Caldwell and Dee Ross; a son, Gary, and granddaughter, Olivia Deller.
Jean is survived by her children: Paula (Jim) Deller, Ivan (Carol) Wilcken, Shirley (Evan) Gentile, Arbetta (Gordon) White and foster daughter, Ruby (Gavin) Eltsosie, along with 16 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren, in addition to other loved ones Jean claimed as family.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Hullinger Mortuary in Roosevelt, with a viewing beforehand from 12 noon. to 12:45 p.m.
Interment in the Tridell Cemetery.