Bethella Urie

On the beautiful summer day of August 10th, 2020, Bethella Gloria Marble-Urie passed away at the age of 86 to be with her Heavenly Father. We are positive, she is up in Heaven, dancing, laughing, and visiting with her loved ones, who have been there waiting for her arrival. Our beloved, Bethella was born, the youngest of 6 children, in Holbrook, Idaho on September 17th, 1933, to Cora Pearl Cook- Marble and Byron Elum Marble. She came as a surprise and a gift to her parents at the ages of 45 and 50 years old. Growing up, she knew she was the “apple of her father, Byron’s eye”. She often talked about how He spoiled her and her mother, Cora, reminded him often of that fact. She loved her parents dearly. At the age of 5, Bethella and her family moved to Wendell, Idaho and at the age of 11, they moved to Eden, Idaho, where she lived almost her entire life. That same year she began writing and was often featured in the Idaho Farmer magazine. Beth was an amazing writer; she had a knack with words. She was never short of something to say or write. She frequently won awards and was paid for writing poems, slogans, jingles and essays. She was also featured in The Times News for her recipes (which she never actually cooked; but they sure sounded good). Beth never enjoyed cooking but loved sewing, music, the ranch, and caring for animals. She had a very kind heart! Bethella would often talk about helping her Dad herd and milk cows, as a child. She definitely grew up as a farm/ranch girl and continued the love of animals and open spaces throughout her life. She at times had mixed feeling about it. It was hard work and a life filled with trials and difficulties; but it was also filled with joy, at the same time. Ranch life was the life for Bethella. She spoke of the good times on her ranch almost daily, until her passing. Beth loved music, dancing, talking on the telephone with friends, registering for contests or raffles, visiting with friends and family and loved to collect things (purses, radios, and TV’s etc.). Music delighted Bethella and she loved to dance, calling it her “fancy footwork also know as the Jitterbug”. Elvis Presley was her favorite singer, and she enjoyed going to various venues to watch impersonator performances. A few years ago she flew to Las Vegas with her daughters, Tami and Ramona, to watch his show, as well as four other musical shows (5 shows in 4 days). She was all over Vegas in her wheelchair. We aren’t sure how she managed; but always seemed to be the one to get the ribbon from Elvis’ neck at the end of the show. She was quite the charmer! She loved her family unconditionally. Beth would often encourage her family to do unto others as you would have them do unto you and strive to live by the golden rule. She expressed these values regularly through her poetry and family conversation. She enjoyed family gatherings, picnics, and holiday dinners. She would often say that it was “the best” meal, birthday or holiday that she ever had in her whole life and every year was elevated to “The best”. She loved life and loved her family. Beth loved all animals. She had many horses, cows, sheep, cats, dogs, and chickens over the years. She was their guardian angel with a wonderfully, kind heart. She was often seen scooping up the flies in the water trough, so they wouldn’t drowned. She brought new meaning to the phrase “wouldn’t hurt a fly”. She was also a friend to the mice, skunks, and raccoons who came to her farm. She fed the mice crackers and cheese. She supplied cat food for the wild skunks and racoons who, of course, frequented her little acreage. Bethella went out of her way to bring new born calves, motherless lambs, and baby goats into the house to put them next to the oil stove to keep them warm during the cold, snowy winters in Eden, Idaho. The Idaho she loved and would never leave. Bethella married John Urie on March 3rd, 1960. John and Bethella raised four children together. They were married for 37 years, prior to his passing. They had their ups and downs, but at the end of her life, Bethella frequently talked of their love and how much she missed him. They enjoyed living in Eden and raising cattle. They had 125 head of cattle, at one point. Beth had a great memory for names and dates. She would remember each cow’s name and knew the dates each were born. She was diligent when it came to record keeping. Bethella lived a very frugal life on the ranch. She and John were always proud that they never took a handout and worked hard to make a decent living. She frequently boasted that she always paid her bills on time, no matter what. Bethella was very proud of her work ethic. She frequently bragged that she cleaned up 40 acres of land all by herself, after John’s passing. She sold cars and farm/ranch equipment. You often heard her say, “I’ve been workin’ like a man”. Among life’s many joys for her was winning Mother of the Year, three times and, of course, one of those was bestowed to her by her children who loved her very much. Bethella loved having grandchildren and she was quick to tell people how many grandchildren, and great grandchildren she had. She was also quick to brag about how proud she was of all of them and what they were doing. Beth was no stranger to tragedy in her life. She never forgot her beloved daughter, Twilla Lorraine, who died at the young age of 6, from Wilms tumor. She believed that Twilla was put on this earth to save her youngest daughter Tami. Twilla actually pulled Tami, at age 3, from a ditch and saved her from drowning. Bethella also lost a grandchild, Jamie Lynn, who drowned at the age of 16. She never, ever forgot them, showed everyone their pictures and told people how special they both were to her. Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Byron and Cora Marble, her husband John Urie, her son-in- law Jean Etcheto, her daughter Twilla Lorraine Berkeley, her grandson Jamie Lynn Quesnell, and all her siblings: Irene O’Brien, Phyllis Widdman, Byron Quenton Marble, Sylvia Grunder, and Naomi Sirucek. Bethella is survived by her three daughters: Ramona Etcheto, Twin Falls, Tamera (Wes) Hunt in Eagle, Idaho and Clarice Quesnell in Potlatch, Id. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. A viewing is scheduled at Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home this Saturday, August 15th, in the evening from 5-7 P.M., and on Sunday, August 16th, from 9:30 to 10:59 A.M.. The funeral will start at 11:00 A.M. at Parke’s, as well. Following a luncheon, the graveside service will be at 2 P.M. at the Hazelton, Idaho, Cemetery on the same day. Bethella was loved and will be missed by all. Dear God, Please take good care of our lovely Bethella! Note: Face Masks will be supplied for your use if you choose. Donations can be made to the Idaho Humane Society or Cure Alzheimer’s Fund in Bethella Urie’s name. Those who wish may share memories and condolences on her memorial page at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.