Oreta Ellen Tarbet

It was a happy day in heaven on Thursday, May 11, 2023 when Oreta Ellen Godfrey Tarbet, 94, joined her husband, son and many loved ones who were waiting on the other side.

Oreta was born July 18, 1928 in Clarkston, Utah, the oldest of three daughters born to  Sidney Sheffield Godfrey and Margaret Jardine Godfrey. She spent her childhood in Clarkston. Although she grew up throughout the Great Depression and World War II, she had a happy childhood surrounded by lots of extended family and friends. She attended Clarkston Elementary, Smithfield Junior High, and graduated from North Cache High School in 1946.

On October 23, 1949 she married Wendell Tarbet in Las Vegas, Nevada. Soon after, they moved to Jerome, Idaho where they homesteaded a 100 acre farm that they drew through the GI Bill. The early years were rough, money was scarce, and resources were limited. They had to clear sagebrush, dig ditches, haul rocks from the fields, and fight off coyotes, rattlesnakes, and rock chucks.

The winters were long and brutal, and summers were hot and dry. After a few years the arid patch of sagebrush became productive agricultural land, where they raised sugar beets, alfalfa, and wheat. They also grazed a herd of cattle.

They were blessed with two children, a daughter Merriett and a son Dee. Raising their family and working together on the farm were some of the happiest times in her life.

Oreta was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She happily served in a variety of callings throughout her life. She and Wendell were sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1965.

She was an accomplished homemaker. She loved to bake, quilt, sew and crochet. She enjoyed gardening and canning and freezing the harvest each year. She loved spending time with her family.

After the unexpected death of her husband in 1984 she valiantly spent the next 39 years without him and demonstrated great strength and independence. She lived in Smithfield during that time.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wendell, son Dee, parents Sidney and Margaret Godfrey, sister Barbara Udy, and brothers-in-law Ralph Udy and Wesley Tarbet.

She is survived by daughter, Merriett (Bill) Falor of Smithfield; sister, Marie (Wes) Tarbet of Smithfield; daughter-in-law, Karla (Dee) Tarbet of Rupert Idaho; ten grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren with one more in June; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Thanks to the staff at Autumn Care in Hyde Park for the love and care rendered to mom for the last six months.

Funeral Services will be held at noon on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at White Pine Funeral Services, 753 South 100 East, Logan, Utah. The viewing will be held from 10:30 am to 11:30 am the same day. Interment will be at the Smithfield Cemetery.