Ena Valene Whetten

1943 - 2025

Ena Valene Whetten, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, surrounded by her family. She is lovingly remembered by her husband, John; her daughters, Susan (John) Kelley and Janine (Byron) Gilbert; her grandchildren, Zachary (Angela) Kelley, Kamala (Steven) Besendorfer, Parker Kelley, Kailen Kelley, Riley Gilbert, and Hannah Gilbert; and her great-grandsons, Tyson, Leo, Jordan, Braden, Taze, Jake, and Carter, who all brought her great joy.

Valene was born on September 28, 1943, in Ephraim, Utah, to Clarence Marlin Peterson and Ena Christiansen Peterson. The third of six children, she was preceded in death by three sisters: Venna LaRee (Lamont) Utley, Maridean (Richard) Proctor, and MarNae Orpah (Kenneth) Hard. She is survived by her sister, Ronda Phenes, and her brother, Clarence "Pete" (Linda) Peterson.

While working as an executive secretary for the Boy Scouts of America in Provo, Utah, she met a dashing young scout executive, John Carlos Whetten, and they soon began to date. In what he credits as the best decision of his life, he asked her to marry him, and in what she credits as the best decision of her life, she agreed. They were joined eternally in the Manti, Utah, Temple on May 2, 1964. Together, they raised their daughters in Southern California, Nevada, Central California, and Idaho.

Valene was devoted to her family. She was present for each major milestone in their lives and made a point of celebrating each birthday with a handwritten card. She had a sharp wit, loved all word games, and took great pleasure in beating family members in card games. She excelled at all things requiring meticulous attention to detail: Crocheting, cross-stitching, record keeping, and raising children.

Valene loved books and learning. She amassed an extensive library and spent many a day into the night curled up with a favorite book. She passed on this love to her daughters and later to hundreds of school children as she worked for over a decade as a teacher's aide in the Pocatello, Idaho School District.

Valene was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a relief society president, primary president, stake primary president, teacher, and compassionate service leader, but she may be best remembered as a faithful visiting teacher who took care to minister to each sister's individual needs. Though she did not speak a second language, she served a Spanish-speaking mission with her husband to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she found that serving with love is the universal language.

Valene had an unwavering testimony of the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ, a testimony she bore most eloquently through her example of integrity and faithful service. We express gratitude for her life and her legacy of faith, endurance, and love.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 27, at 10 am at the Old Hibbard Church, 2001 North 3000 W, Rexburg, Idaho. The family will receive family and friends at the church one hour prior to the services. Interment will be at the Rexburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Valene's name to one of her favorite charities: Primary Children's Hospital.