Trib: Everyone Knew Her As Bethine

Idaho remains a small enough, young enough state that its people remain on a first-name basis with their leaders. It’s not Gov. Otter. It’s Butch. It’s not Sen. Crapo. It’s Mike. It’s not former Gov. Andrus. It’s Cece.So it was with a woman generations of Idahoans knew simply as Bethine. Bethine Church, an Idaho political icon, died Saturday at her Boise home. She was 90 years old. She left behind a legacy that included a two-decade campaign to protect one of Idaho’s jewels, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, from commercial encroachment and the development of the Frank Church Institute at Boise State University, established in her late husband’s honor/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here . (AP file photo of Bethine Church in 2004)

Question: Did you ever meet Bethine Church?