Betty Jane Jura

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elfie Viola Spurrier Wood and Jesse A. Wood, her older brother, Leo E Wood, and younger sister, Jessie Darlene Wood. Her older sister Eva Lucille Sorensen is still active, competing in senior games.

Betty was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, June 13, 1928.

After her father died in September 1942, she, her sister Jessie, and her mother Elfie moved to Spencer, Iowa where she graduated from HS.

Betty moved to Fresno with her mother, before starting college, at Fresno State College (now California State University at Fresno).

She met Roy Jura at Fresno State, was married to him on June 11, 1950. After graduation and together they raised their three children, Scott, Teri and Keith.

Betty worked as a fig inspector in the family farm with Roy and brothers-in-law Joe and Mike Jura.

She enjoyed cooking and entertaining. Family lunches were often with business associates, the children’s friends, or workers at the house or in the fields adjacent.

Betty’s activities in the community included founding a girl’s club, The Herndonettes from Herndon Elementary and the area surrounding the town of Herndon, and teaching the local children how to swim.

Betty and Roy were avid supporters of, and donors to the “Welcome to Fresno County” monument site, Fresno State University, the Fresno Met, the Fresno Zoo, Monterey Aquarium, Aquarius Aquarium of Fresno, the future site of Saint Michael’s Catholic Church, UC San Francisco Medical Center (Fresno Campus), Valley Children’s Hospital, Saint Mary’s Queen Apostles Building fund, and the St. Elia Committee. They were enthusiastic supporters of the Nutra Fig Cycling Team, and annually hosted the team's training camp.

Betty and Roy were a host family to foreign exchange students to Fresno State, and later enjoyed visiting some in their home countries.

Betty and Roy loved traveling to many different destinations, driving their family on road trips across the country and taking cruises. Betty enjoyed attending Fresno State Football and Basketball games, reading, and fine art. Additionally, she actively supported many local politicians.

Betty and Roy were active parishioners at St. Mary’s, Queen of Apostles in Fresno.

Betty had a deep love for Roy, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She hosted many family gatherings at their home. Betty and Roy also enjoyed going to dinners and events with their friends. They made friends easily and many felt like they were Betty and Roy’s adopted family members.

Roy predeceased the love of his life, Betty. They are survived by children (and spouses), Scott (Linda) Jura, Teri (Jim) Farnesi, Keith (Mary) Jura, their grandchildren: Skye, Kyle and Bryn Jura; Nichole (Oskar) Chomicki, Matt (Alyssa) Jura, Laura (Dan) Mortenson and great grandchildren. Betty is survived by her older sister, Eva Sorenson, nieces and nephews on both her and Roy’s sides of the family, and was predeceased by brother Leo Wood, and sister Jessie Darlene Nelson.

Family wishes to thank the staff at Nazareth House, who provided care for Betty after Roy passed.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA 93720 on Sunday, August 28, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 4:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s, Queen of Apostles Catholic Church on Monday, August 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. followed by entombment at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the St. Mary’s, Queen of Apostles building fund, Aquarius Aquarium’s building fund, or to the charity of your choice.