Betty Jean Tindle Fulmer

Betty Jean Tindle Fulmer, 78, joyfully left mortality, fully prepared to meet her Heavenly Father and personal Savior, Jesus Christ on Friday, January 19, 2024.
Betty was born on April 16, 1945, in Ventura, California, the fourth of six daughters born to James Henry Tindle and Lillian Pearl McConnell Tindle. Betty joined the family with Roberta, Margaret, and Adella. Later, Judy and Susan were born. Betty dearly loved her sisters and had a unique, special relationship with each one. She referred to the three youngest sisters as “the three little kids.” Later, brother Jim and sister Linda added to her happiness.
Betty was a happy, cheerful, child, full of sparkle and life from the beginning. She had long, curly red hair and big brown eyes and loved to laugh. Her sense of humor, positive attitude, spunk, and courage got her through many challenges in life.
At about 4 years old, she was staying with her “Aunt Audrey and Uncle Bill.” She was playing outside by herself, and Aunt Audrey heard her giggling. She asked, “What are you laughing about Betty?” She said, “Oh, my giggle box spilled over, and all my giggles spilled out!” They adored Betty and were very positive influences in her life.
She grew up on the family farm, where they raised a big garden, had calves, chickens, and cows. She loved to ride the “Bill horse” but also got stuck riding the mule, “Pansy.” “Ferdinand” was a favorite bull calf. Betty learned to drive a tractor and was a tom boy with her sister, Della. Betty referred to herself and Della as “Daddy’s boys.”
Betty grew up making her own fun. She loved to make mud pies and “cook” with empty tuna cans and popsicle sticks. She loved vegetables from the garden her entire life.
Betty went to Ojai Community Church with family members. Betty had a strong spirit and wondered about spiritual things. Later, when she was in 3rd grade, she began a lifelong love and respect for Native Americans. She wondered where they came from, and as she said in her history, “The love I developed in 3rd grade would later bring me into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.”
Betty had her first child, James Richard, “Jim” when she was 18 years old. She was a very kind, devoted, loving mother, always teaching him that he could do anything he set his mind to accomplish. Through the years, she relied on him. They would council together to solve difficult problems. Two years later, in 1965, Kimberly was born, 2 months prematurely. She only weighed 2 lbs., 15 ounces and was not expected to live. She did many things to love and nurture her precious daughter. Betty was searching for truth and meaning in her life. Jim’s grandmother, Afton, told her about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She met with missionaries and learned about the teachings of the church. She was happy to have answers to questions she had wondered about as a child. She was baptized and joined the church.
Betty and her children lived in Ojai and Ventura, California, their lives interconnected with her sisters and their families. Betty dearly loved her nephews and nieces and took special interest in their activities and lives.
Betty married Richard Fulmer in 1972 and they moved to southern Oregon where sister Susan and her family lived. Betty and her kids loved growing close to them.
Betty’s mother worked as a laundress and had perfect laundry skills. She taught her daughters excellent homemaking skills. Betty never seemed to have “lost” socks. She was an excellent seamstress, and could create anything, from men’s shirts to granddaughter’s baptism dresses to unique covers for her medical needs.
Later, in Relief Society, she learned “Brazilian Embroidery,” doing gorgeous handwork that is 3-dimensional. Betty was a marvelous cook, famous for her fried chicken, peach pie, Swiss steak, and more. She mastered homemade yogurt. She was excellent at planning meals, as well as provident living, raising beautiful gardens, and canning many things like tomatoes and peaches, but also fresh pineapple, and fresh fish as her health permitted.
She loved living in the small town of Gold Hill, Oregon, on the Rogue River, where the children could fish and swim all day, and where people knew each other. She grew fabulous roses in their yard. Jacob Allen was born, and her happiness was complete in her 3 precious children. However, the marriage didn’t last and she returned to California with her children to be close to family.
In1976 she was 31, a single mother with 3 young children. That was when the doctor found she had cancer. They gave her the maximum radiation allowed, and it was way, way too much. She suffered terribly. She was barely alive, lying in bed, willing herself to stay alive to raise her children. The family was extremely poor and moved often.
Betty somehow lived through this time. She struggled with the results of the excessive radiation for 47 years. She had reconstructive surgeries at UCLA, Stanford, University of Washington, and the University of Utah that all helped save her life. Overall, she had more than 50 surgeries, necessary to keep her alive, yet continued to suffer deeply for 47 years.
In her deep suffering, she came to know her Savior, Jesus Christ, and she relied on Him as the source of her comfort, courage, and inspiration of what to do to handle her challenges each day of her life. She became a student of the scriptures, gaining strength and learning about Him through the Book of Mormon especially, and the Bible and other scriptures. Her faith and hope gave her courage, and she trusted Heavenly Father and Jesus completely. She never asked for her trials to be taken away, nor did she blame God for difficulty. He was the source of her strength.
However, even though life gave her countless trials, she would go through a difficult event and right away she would find something to laugh about. She would lighten the toughest times with a witty comment, story, funny little song or game to lift the children’s spirits and those around her. Gradually, she got a little better, and found ways to continue to live, and to raise her children. She was cheerful, and positive. She embodies resilience. She lifted those around her with her smile and her caring way.
In 1997, Betty moved to Newton, Utah, to be with her son, Jim and his family, later joined by Jake, Kimberly and her children. Betty was very present in the lives of her 11 grandchildren, having many fun times together and teaching them the most important things. “Christmas from the Heart” each year, was special, without tangible gifts, but with gifts of love and service.
Betty made many friends in Newton, starting a women’s exercise class that continued for many years and enjoying town celebrations and wonderful, kind neighbors, especially Kim and Kevin Parkinson, as well as Lynn and Darlene Goodsell, and Jesse and Alyssa Howe.
Betty had few material things, but her heart, her character, and her spirit are pure gold. She has been refined in every way and her passing was gentle, without pain, surrounded by family. We love you, Mom. We are so grateful for your love, faith, courage, and life. We are happy you are with our Heavenly Father and Jesus, and at rest.
Betty is survived by her son Jim Hodgson (Heidi) of Newton; Kimberly Langley (Tremonton); and Jake Fulmer (Newton), 16 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; sister Susan Sieminski (Eugene, OR), brother Jim Tindle (Oak View, CA); sister Linda Moore (Johnny) (Oak View, CA) and many dear nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, a nephew, and niece. The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Grover and his team; Dr. David Faux and his team, and the kind staff at CNS who helped her remain at home until her last two weeks. We also appreciate Maple Springs Brigham City who cared for her in her last week.
We express our profound gratitude and thanks to Jacob A. Fulmer, her son, who has cared for her since he was a small child, sacrificing greatly to care for Betty and extending her life through his attentive care. Thank you.
Funeral services will be Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Newton, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, January 26, from 6:00-7:30 pm as well as from 10:30-11:30 am on Saturday, prior to the funeral. Arrangements made by Cache Valley Mortuary.
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