Bette (Bair) Burkman

Bette Bair Burkman, 88, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away May 13, 2025, at her home. She was under the care of Symbii Hospice.

Bette was born April 6, 1937, in Shelley, Idaho, to Carl Wayne Bair and Viola Messick Bair. She grew up and attended school in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School. She also attended Ricks College (BYU–I).

On January 26, 1962, she married Fred Russell Burkman in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls temple on January 26, 1982.  Bette and Fred made their home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Bette was a homemaker and mother.

Bette had a gift for playing piano. She could be handed classical sheet music, and could play through the song near perfectly the first time she looked at it! She enjoyed taking care of house plants, both tropical and desert varieties. Raising show quality dogs became her favorite hobby – especially Chow Chows, Schipperkes, and one spunky Papillon.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed accompanying musical numbers at church and played the piano regularly for Relief Society meetings. She also participated in a calling doing temple work with her husband for many years.

Bette is survived by her husband, Fred Burkman of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Cynthia Jamesen of Idaho Falls, ID; three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Frank Jamesen; and one great-grandchild.

The family will visit with friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road. Private family burial will be held on a later date at the New Sweden Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Snake River Animal Shelter in Idaho Falls, ID.