Betty Jo Payne

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother and Grandmother, who departed this life on December 27, 2025 at the age of 93 just 5 days from her 94th Birthday. Betty Jo Sorensen Payne was a cherished Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother and Greatest Grandmother whose warmth, kindness, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her.

Born on January 1, 1932 in Gunnison, UT, Betty grew up a beauty who loved going to dances and had many “boyfriends” before she married Dad, Wendell Lund Payne, just after she turned 18, on February 18, 1950. Two kids and two years later they moved from Sevier County to Salt Lake City, UT. In 1955 and another child later, they bought and moved into their first and lifelong home that will hold many cherished memories. There, they had three more kids, Twenty Grandkids, Twenty-One Great Grandkids and one Great-Great-Grandchild.

Throughout her life she was known for her unwavering dedication to her family and for the love she shared with those around her. We loved when she got the giggles and we couldn’t help but join in the laughter, and there was a lot of it! She loved blue skies and sunny days and anything floral especially, if it was Pink or Green. With her lipstick and earrings on, she went to get her hair done weekly, as she was always beautiful and put together. Even in her 90’s, and until her very last days, she had a shocking grasp of pop culture and an impeccable memory! She and

Dad loved to travel and took many road trips, a few cruises and spent 10 winters in 29 Palms in their beloved 5th Wheel. She made the trip to Boulder, UT with family, whenever she could and was even given the nickname, “[Bad to the Bone] Boulder Betty”. She was a wonderful cook and we will forever crave those special family dinners. She also enjoyed reading and playing Rummy with her family but she really enjoyed it when she beat Dad.

Betty Jo Payne is survived by her Children: John & Denise Payne, Julie Hardy, Lisa Jensen, Glenn & Karen Payne, Kendall Payne, and Dan & Kim Payne. Grandchildren; Jason & Brandy, Kelly & Linda, Joelle & James, Patrick & Carlie, Sunnie & Peter, Dax & Katie, Zak, Sarah, Rebecca, Jessica & David, Jake & Melissa, Nic, Ben & Teyara, Alexandra & Jordan, Denny & Bridgett, Cassie & Juan, Colton & Madie, Skyler, Jessie, Nikki, Twenty-One Great-Grandchildren and One Great-Great-Grandchild, as well as numerous friends and loved ones. 

She was preceded in death by her Husband Wendell Lund Payne, Parents Joseph and Dale Sorensen, Brothers Morris and Evan Sorensen and Son-In-Law Tom Jensen. May their reunion be sweet!

A special thanks to Lisa Jensen and her family for their love and care over the last several months. In addition to managing all the medical questions, paying the bills, and planning the funeral, they kept her entertained with movie nights and sleepovers. Read to her when she couldn’t see, translated for her when she couldn’t hear and painted her nails to keep her feeling pretty. A heartfelt thanks to Kerri Payne for her continued love and attention to Mom over the years. There have been so many family members and loved ones that have stepped up and helped that cannot be named but please know how much you are loved and appreciated. Thank you to sweet and thoughtful neighbors and friends Shelly and Kristen for their help over the years with meals, errands and whatever was requested of them! Finally, thank you to the wonderfully attentive staff at Twin Oaks Senior Living and Atlas Home Care and Hospice for your hard work and dedication to caring for Betty these last several months! You treated her with compassion and respect and we cannot thank you enough for that! There were several of you we wanted to mention by name but you know who you are; If Betty knew you by name, so did we!

A small graveside service will be held for family, 12:00 Noon on Monday January 12, 2026 at the Redmond Cemetery. Burial will be under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes of Richfield and Salina.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, yet to be determined. 

Betty Jo Payne was loved immensely and will be deeply missed but forever remembered for the love, warmth, and joy she brought into our lives. May she rest in peace.