Bettie Louisa Harmon McDonald was born on January 11, 1936, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Morgan Reese Harmon and Althea Plant Harmon. She grew up chasing cows, riding horses, and helping with chores on the family farm. Bettie attended and graduated from Blackfoot High School and went on to attend Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. It was there that she met Lloyd Kim McDonald, and the two were married in 1956. They moved to Utah, where they both attended the University of Utah. Bettie earned her teaching certificate in 1959, and from there, the couple moved to Laramie, Wyoming. Bettie worked as a teacher while Kim completed law school. Next, they relocated to Pocatello, Idaho, where, in 1964, they welcomed a baby girl they named Jill. Soon after, they relocated once again to Nampa, Idaho. Bettie taught students from kindergarten through grade 3, but ultimately decided her heart belonged to the kindergarteners. She founded a private school, the Intuitive Learning Center, which she ran for years, then moved on to work for the Nampa School District. During this time, they adopted a baby girl in 1977, whom they named Julie. Shortly thereafter, the couple parted ways. Bettie became a dedicated worker and often worked three jobs in order to provide for her children. This included catering on the side as well as working many holidays. Bettie also decided to return to school and earned her Masters Degree in Child Development from Boise State University in 1988. Bettie continued working and teaching for the Nampa School District until her retirement. Bettie was a very social lady and enjoyed spending time with friends, whether it was playing cards or going on trips to places like Egypt. She was a loving grandmother to five grandchildren and loved to teach them, as she had done for so many years before. Near the end of her life, despite having dementia, she was a favorite of the staff and other residents at Grace Assisted Living. She was always good for a laugh. Bettie is survived by her two daughters, Jill Sorenson (Shane Sorenson) of Koosharem, Utah, and Julie Conway (Shawn Conway) of Nampa, Idaho, and five grandchildren; Dexter Sorenson of Eugene, Oregon, Alec Sorenson (Celine Sorenson) of Koosharem, Utah, Stone Sorenson (Jess Sorenson) of Koosharem, Utah, Skye Winslow and Stormie Winslow, and five great-grandchildren; Lorenzo Jimenez, Anastazya Aguilar, Byron Sorenson, Adeline Sorenson, and Tyde Sorenson.
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