Janet Grimmett Budge

Janet Grimmett Budge, a beloved mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2024, two months shy of her 93rd birthday. 

Born on May 16, 1931, in Paris, Bear Lake County, Idaho, she was the 6th child of Orson Henry Grimmett and Lillias Elizabeth Shepherd. Janet lived a life filled with music (she played piano, organ and clarinet), books, and chocolate. She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until the day she died, attending her meetings faithfully whether sitting with the older single sisters on their favorite bench, or sitting front and center at her assisted living. She was spunky, stubborn, funny, and loyal. 

Did we mention she loved chocolate? 

Janet attended Emerson Public School and Fielding High School in Paris, ID. One of her favorite memories from elementary school was being in an operetta where she danced around an older boy named Ezra. In 1949 she was the salutatorian of her graduating class. She attended BYU, where she majored in English and minored in music. After graduating with a BA degree, she taught high school for three years. 

While visiting her parents, she received a phone call from Ezra Budge, asking her out to a church activity in Garden City. She often told of accepting the date, but after hanging up the phone telling her mom sarcastically, “Big thrill!” 

Something must have changed because on June 15, 1956, Janet and Ezra Charles Budge were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. 

Two of their children (Lori and Scott) were born in Logan while Ezra was attending USU, and the other two of their children (Kent and Susan) were born while living in Las Vegas. In 1965 she and her family then moved to Los Alamos, NM where she lived for 27 years. She was active in the church, serving in many callings in Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. She also taught early morning Seminary. 

After Ezra died in 1984, Janet served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ in the Nashville Tennessee Mission. In 1992 she moved to Provo, Utah, and later Orem where she lived until her passing. 

While living in Provo, Janet served others by playing the organ in the Provo temple for 19 years and being a music service missionary for the Provo Missionary Training Center. While serving in the temple, she began to notice her eyesight changing, and —like Ezra—became legally blind. 

Throughout her life, Janet exemplified kindness to all and a deep and abiding testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ. She was known for her love of reading, travel, swimming in the pool—and Mrs. Cavanaugh’s chocolates. Her legacy of faith and devotion to family will continue to inspire generations to come. 

Janet is survived by her children: Lori (Robert) Raymond, Scott (Lisa) Budge, Kent (Cindy) Budge, Susan (Lowell) Jones, 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with one on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband Ezra and son Kent. Most of all, she loved her family. 

A viewing will be held Friday, March 15, 6:00-8:00, and Saturday, March 16, 2024, 9:30-10:30 at the Timpview 1st Ward building, 1050 N 600 W, Orem, UT. The funeral will follow the Saturday morning viewing at 11:00. Internment will be at the Paris Cemetery, on March 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM

The family would like to thank all those aides and nurses who took such wonderful care of her in her later years. We are grateful. 

“There is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.” (Mosiah 16:8). 

We will see you again, Mom. Love you!