Betty Jean Jeppesen

Betty Jean Hill Jeppesen passed away March 10, 2025. She was born on January 4, 1930, to Charles Paul and Pearl Marie Prough Hill on her parents’ 40-acre farm in the Deep Creek area near Buhl, Idaho, not far from Conover’s Corner (Ring’s Corner). As the fifth of seven children, Betty grew up surrounded by the warmth of family. She began her education at Deep Creek before her family moved to Castleford, where she continued her studies and graduated as valedictorian from Castleford High School in 1947.

After high school, Betty attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, where she met her first husband, Don Zaring Miller. They married in Buhl on November 25, 1949, and started their life together in married student housing while Don completed his degree. Their journey took them to northern California, where Betty’s first two of five children were born.

In 1957, Betty returned to Idaho with her two small children. While in Twin Falls, she ran into Richard Turner Jeppesen, a former classmate from Castleford, at the bowling alley. That serendipitous encounter blossomed into love and the couple married on August 25, 1960, at the Episcopal Church in Buhl, Idaho. Over the next 38 years, they built a life together and added three more children to their family.

Early in their marriage, Richard encouraged Betty to pursue a teaching certificate so they could enjoy summers together and work toward their dream of owning a farm. With determination, they spent several summers in Pocatello while Betty attended Idaho State University (ISU). The 1961–1962 academic year was particularly challenging, as Betty lived in Pocatello with her daughter while Richard, who was teaching in Castleford, lived in a small teacherage behind Castleford High School with his stepson.

Betty ultimately earned her teaching degree from ISU and spent nearly 20 years teaching in Buhl, Idaho. She found immense joy in the classroom, cherishing the moments when a child’s eyes would light up with understanding.

Betty enjoyed playing bridge with the teachers from Buhl and Castleford. The monthly rotating bridge night was something she looked forward to. She was also an avid bird watcher and had several books on birds and dozens of bird figurines in her house. After Betty’s retirement she returned to weekly bowling, something Betty and Richard enjoyed in their early life together.

As a grandmother, Betty was hands-on and full of love. She delighted in playing with her grandchildren, reading them stories, and taking them outside to explore nature. She had a special passion for teaching them about birds and loved stargazing with them, pointing out constellations and sharing the wonders of the night sky.

Throughout most of their years together, Betty and Richard farmed and raised cattle, building a life rooted in hard work and family. In June 1995, Betty retired from teaching, and in the late 1990s, she and Richard sold their farm, settling into a home in Twin Falls. She remained there until her peaceful passing on March 10, 2025.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her six siblings, Marilyn Hill Potucek, Wilbur “Bud” Hill, Jack Hill, John Hill, Charlie Hill, and Anita Hill Honcik.

She is survived by her five children; Eric Richard Jeppesen (Angela Davis) of West Virginia; Kristi Ann Morino (Rick) of Kuna, Idaho; Dana Marie Lott (Carl) of Anchorage, Alaska; Suzan deSeguin (Michael) of Lakewood, Colorado; and, Michael Zaring Miller of Twin Falls, Idaho.

At the time of her passing, Betty was also survived by 12 cherished grandchildren—Owen, Halden, and Gabel Jeppesen; Kolter and Soren Morino; Richard, Tiffany, Palmer, and Morgan Lott; and Alexandra, Cesar, and Andrea deSeguin—as well as 22 great-grandchildren.

Graveside Service will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the West End Cemetery, 1574 E Elm Street, Buhl.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Betty’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.