Betty LaFon Van Orden was born in Cambria, Virginia. She attended Brigham Young University and majored in psychology.

Betty is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has served in many auxiliaries. Betty has also served on various committees in her community, helping to improve the guidelines and standards that govern the activities of high school students.

Betty and her husband, Sterling, are presently living in Syracuse, Utah. They are service missionaries in Salt Lake City at the Conference Center. They have six children and twenty grandchildren.