Bettie Joe West

Bettie Joe Nerdin West
March 5, 1940 – June 26, 2025

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Bettie Joe Nerdin West, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025, in Lehi, Utah, at the age of 85.

Bettie Joe was born on March 5, 1940, in the American Fork Hospital to Arnold Joseph Nerdin and Georgia LaMar Powell. She was raised in American Fork and attended Harrington Elementary and American Fork High School.

On May 10, 1957, Bettie Joe married the love of her life, William (Bill) J. West, in Stockton, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they built a beautiful life and were blessed with four children.

Their journey took them from American Fork where their first son, Carey, was born to Lead, South Dakota, where Bill worked in the Homestake Gold Mine and where they welcomed Cherrie and Jeff. Eventually, they returned to Lehi, Utah, where Bill worked at the Tooele Army Depot and their youngest son, Joey, was born.

Bettie Joe was a vibrant, kind-hearted woman known for her love of family, her infectious smile, and her signature giggle. She helped raise her younger siblings, Joe and Claudia. Her and her sister Mary Helen loved baking—snickerdoodles being a favorite. She even opened a small cafe in Lehi around 1978 and ran it for several years. She worked at a few different Cafe's too.

She enjoyed sewing and spent many years working at Pyketts in Lehi and other local sewing manufacturers. Her handmade creations are cherished keepsakes by many in the family. Bettie Joe was always ready to help others through charitable service and was known for her lighthearted spirit and sense of humor. She gave everyone a nickname and was famous among nieces and nephews for her ear flips and silly jokes.

Bettie Joe and Bill were pretty inseparable. At one point, they bought a motorcycle and rode it everywhere—even to the horse races in Idaho.

Bettie Joe is survived by her children: Carey West, Cherrie Williams, Jeff West, and Joe West, along with 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her siblings: Mary Helen West, Joe Nerdin, and Claudia Case.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Lewis Dade, Georgia Christensen, Marion Dade, Mark Dade, and Diana.

Bettie Joe leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and service. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Services are under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Olpin Family Mortuary Chapel; 494 South 300 East, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Family and friends may attend a viewing before the service at the mortuary from 9:00 - 10:45 AM. The interment will follow in the Lehi City Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at olpinmortuary.com.