Obituary of Betty Hidlebaugh

Betty was born near Kelliher, SK., where she spent her cherished childhood years.  She was predeceased by her father, James; mother, Mary Jane (nee Boyd) Leslie; sister Eileen (Joe Dunlop) and brothers, Willie and Andy Leslie.  
Betty’s husband, and lifelong companion Wilf, passed away peacefully in April 2012, at the age of 95, in Oliver, British Columbia. She was also predeceased by her father-in-law Jay Hidlebaugh (1st Rachel, 2nd Sarah); brothers and sisters-in-law Mel Hidlebaugh (1st Denise, 2nd Doris). Art Hidlebaugh (Nene), Marion (nee Hidlebaugh) (1st Harvey Goodin, 2nd Bill Dodman), Dave Hidlebaugh (Denise), and Lola Hidlebaugh.  

Betty is survived by her four children Murray (Jeanette) Hidlebaugh of Saskatoon, Janet (Norm d. 2020) Debienne of Victoria, B.C., Patricia (Gene) Kessler of Pangman, and Barbara (Philip) Yardy of London, UK; seven grandchildren, Brad and Rod Hidlebaugh (Murray, Jeanette), Greg and Chantelle Debienne (Janet, Norm), Ken, Heidi, and Dave Kessler (Pat, Gene); and by her thirteen great-grandchildren, Ben and Kate Hidlebaugh, William, Amelia, and Spencer Hidlebaugh, Elley Debienne, Emrys and Cohen Burrell, Kadan and Hannah Kessler, Ella and Adalyn Kessler-Holderness, and Calissa Kessler-McCall. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who have been actively involved in her life for years, all of whom she loved dearly.

Betty excelled in academics and athletics. The Great Depression made it difficult to continue post-secondary education, but she attended Normal School in Saskatoon at a young age. Her first teaching position was at Blue Fox School, where she met Wilf. They married when he returned from WWII. They reared their family on a farm near Choiceland.  Betty returned to teaching from 1959-1975 at Choiceland. She started teaching at the elementary school and then moved to the high school. Betty was a beloved teacher, committed to giving her students the best possible education and experiences. Her pupils fondly remember her involvement in extracurricular activities like drama, library, sports, art, and yearbook, to name just a few.

When Wilf and Betty retired, they travelled throughout Canada and United States, finally settling in Oliver, B.C., where they enthusiastically embraced new friends and activities for 38 years. Following Wilf’s death, Betty returned to Saskatchewan – home.

Betty passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, in Bengough Care Home at the age of 107. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a strong, dedicated woman. Her warm spirit will live on through many lives. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. The family plans to honour Betty’s life at the Choiceland Town Hall on July 29, 2023, where we hope to share memories with family, friends and students.  

Instead of flowers, please make your donations to a Choiceland Scholarship Fund:

Elizabeth Hidlebaugh Memorial Scholarship
North East School Division No. 200
PO Box 6000
Melfort, SK., S0E 1A0
Or a charity of your choosing.