Elizabeth Ann Jordan Reimann, the daughter of Earl Franklin Jordan and Irene Charlotte Farrar Jordan was born on December 2nd 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the second daughter of three children. She grew up in St. Louis. When she was 17 years old, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida.
It was there that she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. After graduation, she attended one year of Junior Harris Teacher College in St. Louis. She received a Registered Nurse License in 1945 after training at St. Louis City Hospital School of Nursing. Her last year of school was spent as a Cadet Nurse working in San Diego Naval Hospital attending injured servicemen returning from World War II.
Betty worked at the Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio until transferring to the VA Hospital in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. It was there she fell in love and married her husband, Edward Claude Reimann on November 9, 1948. For a short time they lived at his parents ranch before settling in Pocatello where Betty worked as a nurse at St. Anthony's Hospital and Edward attended Idaho State University Vo-Tech.
After Betty's first child, Karen Nanette, was born November 11, 1949, the family moved to Gooding, Idaho. She worked tirelessly at the tuberculosis hospital while Edward opened an upholstery shop. It was there that their first son, Timothy John was born on December 29, 1951. When Edward's step-father suffered an accident that left him unable to run the ranch, the family moved back to Marsh Valley to help out. Betty continued her path of service as a nurse via the Marsh Valley Hospital and the private practice of Dr. Leo Burkett.
It was during this time that Betty became pregnant with her second daughter Toni, born December 29, 1955; and her second son Kent Edward, born April 16, 1957. The Reimann family tended the ranch for eight years until they bought the Gentry Motel and Beeline Gas Service Station in Mackay, Idaho. Betty said that she fell in love with Idaho the moment she arrived and Mackay continued to be her home until 2005. She assisted many members of the community as a home health nurse under the Idaho State Public Health Agency as well as a volunteer EMT. She retained her license to be a registered nurse until 2004.
Besides being a nurse and mother, Betty was also a member of the Mackay Methodist Church that later became the Mackay Community Church. Towards the end of her life, she was chrismated into the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church. She participated in the community in many ways, as a member of the Mackay Historical Society, she donated many personal items for the museum. In addition, she gave her time generously to the American Legion Auxiliary #16 and the Ladies Aide. Betty was known for her consideration, kindness and unconditional love. She spent her later years caring for her ten grandchildren. An avid knitter and needle point crafts woman, many of her projects have become family treasures.
The onset of vascular dementia allowed her to become a resident of the Emerson House at Riverpointe Memory Care in 2007. It was there, that her unwavering compassion was returned by the caring and gentle staff. She touched many hearts with her clear blue eyes and whimsical smile. Betty passed away peacefully February 25, 2010.
She is survived by her four children: Karen Salinas and husband Fred; Tim and wife Elvina; Toni Shores and husband Dave; Father John Kent and wife Christina. In addition, she is survived by her brother, Dr. Earl Jordan; nephew, Les Mansfield; ten grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Reimann and sister, Ruth Mansfield. Orthodox services were held Saturday, February 27, 2010 in Boise at the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church with Father Mark Finn and Father John Reimann officiating. Private burial followed at the Mt. McCaleb Cemetery in Mackay, Idaho. A celebration of her life will be held in Mackay at a later date.
The family would like to thank Dr. Kenneth Weitiemer, M.D., Emerson House at Riverpointe staff and Harrison's Hope Hospice staff for their compassionate care of Betty. Thanks to Father Mark, wife Michelle and children and the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church family for their time and attention to Betty and her family.
In her memory, donations to the Mackay American Legion Auxiliary #16, Robert Hauck, Commander, 4312 N HY 93, Mackay, Idaho 83251 or the Mackay Senior Center, P.O. Box 413, Mackay, Idaho 83251 would be appreciated.
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