Mary Whitworth Berrett

Mary Katherine Whitworth Berrett, 93, died December 21, 2010, at the Idaho Falls Health and Rehab Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mary was born March 24, 1917, to George D. Whitworth and Clara Meese Whitworth Swauger at their home on Rapid Creek near Inkom, Idaho. She was the first of their five children. Four boys followed Mary: George, Bob, Jack and Herbert Whitworh. All but Bob are deceased. At the age of 6, Mary rode her horse to attend a one-room school on Buckskin Road near Inkom, and later attended school at Blaser. She and her mother rode that same horse to the Portneuf River in the late afternoon to catch fish for the family dinner. The family then moved to a ranch near Lava Hot Springs and Mary attended and graduated from Lava Hot Springs High School. She then attended Idaho Technical Institute, now Idaho State University, in Pocatello, Idaho. In 1936 she married Reed L. Berrett. Three children were born to them: William Reed Berrett (deceased), Marilyn Berrett Henderson, and Robert W. Berrett. Reed and Mary lived briefly in Park City, Utah, and Overton, Nevada, where Reed taught high school and coached. Then they settled permanently in Roberts, Idaho, where Reed resumed his teaching and coaching career. Together they were involved in high school athletic activities and community activities. Reed and Mary acquired several farms, raised prized shorthorn cattle and owned and operated the Roberts Texaco and Café with their son Bob and his wife, Vivian. She loved her 3 children and 7 grandchildren. The early accidental death of her son Bill had a profound effect on her life. Mary was a judge at many local and state fairs. Her specialty was judging the open class bread contest and the quilts. She was a substitute teacher at Roberts High School. Mary was an active member of the Roberts Community Church. She was also a member of the Cowbelles and served as their president in 1972. Her favorite hobby was playing bridge and she enjoyed bridge clubs for many years. She is survived by her daughter Marilyn Berrett (John) Henderson, of Eagle, Idaho, and son, Robert W. (Vivian) Berrett, of Roberts, Idaho and Phoenix, Arizona, 7 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and her brother, Bob Whitworth, of May, Idaho. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Reed L. Berrett, her son, William “Bill” R. Berrett, her grandson William “Bill” R. Berrett Jr., 2 grand-daughters, Katherine Berrett, and Ginger Berrett, her parents, George D. Whitworth and Clara Meese Whitworth Swauger, 3 brothers, George, Jack and Herb Whitworth, and her maternal grand-parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth Meese who came from Germany and entered the U.S. in 1888 at Ellis Island. Mary’s paternal grandparents, George A. and Katherine Whitworth came from England and were among the first settlers in the Portneuf area. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at the Roberts Community Church, 637 N. 2872 E., Roberts. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Market Lake Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.