Elizabeth "Grandma Bettie" Irick

Elizabeth Irick, affectionately known as "Grandma Bettie," passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's disease at her home in West Jordan, Utah on January 16th, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Born on April 25, 1940, in LaFeria, Texas, to Robert David and Clara May Stovall. Bettie's family moved to Idaho when she was three years old where she grew up in the faming communities of Filer and Buhl. She married, and soon moved to southern California, gave birth to four daughters; Anita, Jo Anne, Wendy, and Julie. Then by shear determination earned her high school diploma while living in Reseda, California. After divorcing she returned to Idaho, settling in Idaho Falls where she married Dwight Irick in 1978. Dwight and Bettie ventured to Jackson Hole, Wyoming in 1980. With reluctance, they left the beauty of western Wyoming and moved to the Salt Lake Valley in 1983 for employment reasons, settling in West Jordan, Utah. In 2006 they expanded their family with the adoption of Katie Ernst (Berkenpas).
Bettie was a prolific and creative individual. Before starting school, her mother taught her embroidery as a way to keep her occupied and out of trouble. Throughout her life, she experimented with various skills, including knitting, tatting, beadwork, jewelry making, quilling, crochet, cross stitch, and sewing clothing. However, her talent was especially displayed in quilting, sometimes incorporating embroidery, candle wicking, and counted cross stitch, into her intricate quilts. She shared her exceptional handwork with many, including creating "Quilts of Valor" for individuals who had served in the military.
Throughout her life, Bettie was always a hard worker and held various positions in the workforce. To help support her family, she began working in the fields of Idaho when she was only six years old. Later, she worked as an information operator for the Bell Telephone company, and as a receptionist, typesetter, proofreader, and bindery work for a printing company in southern California. Returning to Idaho, she worked for the prime contractor at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, where nuclear research is conducted. After moving to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, she became the owner of a business that grew alfalfa sprouts and delivered them to grocery stores, resorts, and restaurants. After moving to the Salt Lake Valley, Bettie worked for Northwest Baptist Missions part time, and took on two Avon territories working her way to an assistant manager position. She worked doing inventory control for 7-Eleven, then various temporary jobs, and eventually became the manager of the Temporary Staffing office.
A very significant aspect of Bettie's life was her volunteer work. She dedicated herself to helping with Bible studies, office work at her church, and at Grace Christian School. She spent many hours cooking at Red Cliff Bible Camp which she loved dearly. Additionally, she volunteered at a halfway house and at Rescue Haven a women's shelter.
Bettie loved her family, and they will deeply miss her. She is survived by her husband, Harris Dwight Irick; her daughters, Anita Manzenberger (Lyle) Alamogordo, NM, Jo Anne Arellano, Haines City, FL, Wendy Sullivan (Charles) Manchaca, TX, Julie Reeves (Scott) Ridgefield, WA, and Katie Ernst (Devin) Las Vegas, NV. Bettie has twelve grandchildren and twenty five great-grandchildren. Throughout her life many children called her "Grandma Bettie." She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Clara Stovall, her sisters, Carol Veenstra, and Bobbie Steinmetz.
Today, Bettie rejoices in heaven, face-to-face with her Savior, Jesus Christ. He paid her sin debt with his shed blood, defeating death and assuring her eternal life through his resurrection.
If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, or to honor Bettie's memory, Red Cliff Bible Camp, Pinedale, Wyoming, is one of her most favorite places in the world.
The Celebration of Life memorial for Bettie will be held on February 7th at 2:00 pm at Grace Baptist Church. 4737 W. 4100 S., West Valley City, UT 84120.