Bessie Irene Tinsley Bingham

BURLEY – Bessie Irene Tinsley Bingham, age 90, of Burley, passed away at her home on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

She was born on Aug. 26, 1921, in Burley, Idaho, the fourth child of William Edwin and Almeda Jolley Tinsley. She was the youngest child in the family. She had one brother and two sisters. The family moved to the Unity District of Burley, in 1931. Bessie attended Burley schools, except for fifth and sixth grades when she attended school in View. She graduated from Burley High School and from Albion State Normal School, receiving a teaching certificate. She taught school for one year at Vernon, in a one-room school five miles from Ashton. She had five grades in one room.

Bessie married the love of her life, Dee Rex Bingham, during her Christmas vacation, on Dec. 25, 1941. This was just 18 days after the attack of Pearl Harbor. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan Utah LDS Temple on Oct. 20, 1942. They farmed in the Unity area for two years prior to her husband entering the United States Army in December 1943. She followed her husband, soldier, while he was stationed in Abilene, Texas, Denver, Colorado, and Brigham City, Utah. She returned to Burley while Dee Rex was sent to Europe. Upon his honorable discharge, they returned to the life of farming and owned and operated farms in the Pella area of Burley, and in Jerome.

In May of 1977, Bessie seemed to have extra time on her hands and decided to enroll in the Overland Beauty College. She received her license in cosmetology and used this talent for family and friends.

She was a lifelong member of the LDS Church and served in various areas of the Church including, the Relief Society, Young Women, Primary and was a sought after organist, pianist and music director. She and Dee Rex received a mission call in November of 1982, to act as the rotating couple at the Church sites in Palmyra, New York of the New York Rochester Mission. They then served a second mission in the Australia Perth Mission and spent several years serving as workers in the Boise Idaho Temple.

Bessie is survived by her husband, Dee Rex Bingham of Burley; her children, Kendell (Connie) Bingham of Sigurd, Utah, Randy (Janet) Bingham of Burley, Loren (Adele) Bingham of Hazelton, Dee Ann (Dennis) James of Burley, Steven (Deborah) Bingham of Twin Falls, and Dean (Debbie) Bingham of Jerome; 30 grandchildren; and 73 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; two sisters; and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 21, at the Burley LDS Stake Center, 2050 Normal Ave., in Burley, with Bishop Mark Dowdle officiating. Burial will be in Gem Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Monday at the church.

The family suggests memorials be directed to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund.