John Jerome Whetten was born 21 April 1935 in Colonia Dublan. He passed away on 16 July 2021. He was the oldest of 10 children born to Glen and Ada Whetten. His early years were spent in Colonia Chuichupa. His family moved to Colonia Juarez when he was 12 years old. He met Louise Jorgenson when he was in the 7th grade and she was in the 6th grade. They became fast friends and later on, high school sweethearts. Dad graduated high school in 1953 and went to BYU for a year. Mom graduated high school a year later and joined Dad at BYU. They were married in the Mesa Temple 29 Dec 1954.
Mom and Dad had 8 children, 43 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren.
Dad was a very forgiving man. During a tragic time in his life he, his brother, and his dad were shot in San Diego, MX. Even though it took the life of his brother Bert and he and his dad suffered a lot, he told us kids often, “That day my life was taken from me, but the Lord gave it back. How can I hold hatred in my heart when I have been given such a gift?”
Dad set up the first telephone system here in town. He worked on getting television transmitted into town from the US. He taught math, science, electronics and other topics at school. When personal computers first came out, he built his own computer chip by chip from scratch. Interestingly, his wide range of knowledge was always used to help others.
Dad loved to serve and service was forefront to whatever he did. He served in the stake presidency and was bishop for many years. He served as a teacher at the Academia Juarez for 29 years before leaving to serve as Mission President in the Asuncion Paraguay Mission for 3 years. I personally remember the joy and happiness dad and mom felt when serving during those three years as missionaries. When he returned he became the director of the Academia in July 1989.
Later Dad and Mom were able to return to Paraguay to serve as temple president and matron. (February 2001). They loved Paraguay and the people there. Upon his return, he served 9 years as director of the Colonia Juarez grade school. Dad was happiest when he was serving, especially with Mom.
Family was of paramount importance to Dad. He is survived by eight children and their spouses. John and Jennifer Whetten, David and Judy Larsen, Mel and Mary Kreitel, Glen and Loretta Whetten, Lynn and Betty Sloan, Rick and Crystallyn Whetten, Harold and Megan Whetten and Ronald and Sandra Whetten. He was preceded in death by his daughter in law Amy Lewis Whetten and granddaughter Amy Louise Whetten. He is survived by his siblings, Velma Taylor, Lina Fewkes, Ed Whetten, Don Whetten and Bob Whetten. He was preceded in death by siblings, Bert Whetten, Cliff Whetten, Glen Whetten and Amanda Burraston.
Being with family was what made Dad happy. He also understood the importance of temple covenants and the promises and blessings that accompany them. He was able to seal over a dozen grandchildren in the temple. On the 27 of February, 2011, his beloved wife Louise passed away. He dedicated the next ten years to visiting and serving his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is now reunited with his sweetheart Louise, his parents and the siblings that went before him.
