Janice Betts Bennion

She was born February 18, 1928, in Salt Lake City to J. Arden Oliphant and A. Lucile Oliphant. She married Carl Lamar Betts March 23, 1951. Carl passed away in 2001. She married C. Kent Bennion on May 2, 2009. Kent passed away in 2020.

Janice grew up in Salt Lake City close to the Jordan River around 1300 South. She graduated high school in Port Townsend, Washington when her father was working there during World War II. After meeting Carl, she waited for him while he served a mission in Hawaii. They married soon after he arrived home in 1951. Janice and Carl served a mission together for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Fiji Islands in 1989 and later in 2004, she served a second mission to Fiji. She continued to have a dear relationship with many families she met in Fiji.

Janice was a faithful member of the Church and held significant callings that blessed many people. She was never shy about sharing her beliefs and firmly knew that the Gospel plan of Jesus Christ is for the benefit of man and not a restricting force, but a freeing one.

She was a talented administrator and worked at several places: SLC School District, Utah House of Representatives and for many years at the University of Utah. Janice loved to travel, and her list of places visited throughout the world is extensive. She was a travel escort for many years for Brian Judd Tours.

She was a talented musician and began piano lessons when she was eight years old. She also taught piano when her own children were young. In 1959 she composed two original songs, “Halloween” and “Big Parade” which were published in the LDS magazine, “The Children’s Friend.” Janice was active in the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Besides being involved in local camps, she served on the International Board in many capacities and conducted conventions throughout the United States. For many years she helped produce the Days of ’47 Royalty Pageant and served as an escort for the royalty.

She loved family history and compiled numerous journals and scrapbooks for members of her immediate and extended families. She firmly believed it was her responsibility to bless the lives of others beginning first with her own family.

Janice and Carl had four children: Leslie Ann (deceased), Jeanie (Kim) Bowerbank, Laura (Mark) Oviatt and Kenneth (Robyn) Betts, eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, a brother Lincoln Oliphant and preceded in death by a daughter Leslie Ann and her siblings: Joyce Oliphant Hoggan, Wheeler Oliphant and Roger Oliphant.

We are grateful to all those who loved her and were a part of her life. She has many cherished friendships and associations. She loved to serve and reach out to make sure others were loved and included.

Special thanks to the many nurses, aides and caregivers at the Cedarwood at Sandy Community that took such good care of Janice while she resided there the past two years.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 11:00 am at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S Highland Drive. A viewing will be held Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm and at 10:00 am on Wednesday prior to the memorial service at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary. Services will be streamed live on Janice’s obituary at dignitymemorial.com. Interment will be in the Wasatch Lawn Cemetery.