Obituary of Lorna Beth Henson Botts
Lorna Beth Henson Botts passed away on December 30, 2024, at Valley Vista Care Center. She was born October 7, 1935 in Pocatello Idaho to Leonard and Rosamond Henson. She was the youngest of 5 children. Her early schooling took place in McCammon, Idaho. The family then moved to Pocatello where she graduated from H.S. in 1953. She was active in athletics, activities and worked a part time job while maintaining honor student status.
She attended Idaho State College participating in athletics and working as a department store window decorator. She joined Sigma Kappa sorority and served as its president. She attended the Marine Corp. Officer Training program in Quantico Virginia. She earned her B.S. in Education in 1957 and became engaged to Jack D. Botts, the Marines discontinued her training due to the engagement. Jack and Lorna were married on August 17th, 1958. She taught Jr. High PE and English in Pocatello while working on her Master’s degree which she received in 1960.
The couple moved to St. Maries and Lorna taught Jr. High while Jack waited on his orders from the Army to go on active duty. They had training at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonia Texas. Jack left for Germany and Lorna soon followed. She taught school on the base. They enjoyed traveling in many countries. They returned to SM in 1963 with their 5-month-old son David.
They moved into their current home on Jefferson in June of 1963. Jack went to work as a Pharmacist at Mike's Drug and Lorna raised David and Lori, who came along in 1965. She served in many community organizations such as The Jay-C-Ette’s who founded the Hello Dolly Welcome Wagon Committee and began the SM Junior Miss Pageants and organized and ran the Paul Bunyan Days Celebrations. Many hours were spent in creative and leadership endeavors for all of those events and more. She served as State Treasurer and Secretary of that organization. Lorna won numerous awards in statewide Jay-C-Ette competitions. In 1973 Lorna went back to teaching at SMHS where she taught Girls PE for several years.
In 1979 Lorna and Jack opened Jack's Pharmacy in St. Maries, they worked side by side for 19 years. Lorna was the chief Buyer, Personnel Manager and Decorator for the store but never missed a basketball game or volleyball match, or any other of the many activities in which her two kids were involved. She also served in many leadership roles in the local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Jack and Lorna had many opportunities to travel for business and pleasure, she especially loved Italy.
They sold the store in 1998 and retired to Golf, Garden and Grandkids. They spent winters in Arizona for 10 years. Lorna loved Gonzaga basketball. Lorna's main focus was always to support her husband and children in their dreams and activities. Every project Jack was behind, Lorna was behind Jack.
She is preceeded in death by her parents, all 4 of her siblings and their spouses: Shirley Jefferys, Stanley (Marilyn) Henson, Robert (LaRetta) Henson, Richard (Thelma) Henson.
Survived by her husband: Jack Botts, son David (Jacki) Botts, daughter Lori (Tracy) Foutz. Eight grandchildren: Lance (Jessica) Foutz, Travis Foutz, Jackie (Cody) Robbins, Tori (Robby) Dilg, Adam (Becca) Brewer, Graedon (Abby) Brewer, Tanner Botts, Hunter Botts. Nine (soon to be 10) great grandchildren, Brother-in-law Jerry (Virginia) Botts and many loved nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be on Friday, January 10, 2025, 4 pm – 6 pm at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries, ID. A viewing will be before services on January 11, 2025 at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints with funeral services starting at 11:00 am. Grave dedication will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with a gathering of family and friends to share a meal following all services at of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel.
