Elizabeth “Betty” A. Hecker, 80, Dickinson died Thursday, April 9, 2009 at the Sidney Hospital, Sidney, Mont. Betty’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Jim Braaten as the celebrant. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Gene Morman presiding.
Betty was born August 9, 1928 on the family farm near Belfield, the daughter of Nick J. and Mary (Carey) Boltz. After attending Belfield High School she married Anton “Tony” Hecker on November 24, 1947. Together they moved to Glendive, Mont. and in 1959 they moved to Dickinson where they started their family. In 1964 they moved to a farm by Wibaux, Mont. where their family continued to grow and they ran a farm and ranch operation. In 1981 the Heckers moved to Belfield before moving to Dickinson in 1987 where they resided until April of 2009. Betty recently became a resident of a retirement home in Sidney, Mont.
Betty enjoyed traveling south for the winters. She enjoyed baking for her family, belonging to the Altar Guild at St. Bernard’s and St. Wenceslaus churches. Betty found joy in canning, working on crafts and making quilts for her grandchildren. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and being a 4-H leader. As the years moved on she liked caring for her flowers, bird watching and gardening.
Betty is survived by her husband, Tony; their seven children, Jerry (Shirley) Hecker, Sheridan, Mont., Ray (Kathy) Hecker, Sheridan, Wyo., Doug (Cindy) Hecker, Sidney, Mont., Bryan Hecker, Sidney, Mont., Lynelle (Jacob) Urlacher, Dickinson, Sheryl (Sascha) Meyer, Denver, Colo., and Kelvin (Jody) Hecker, Sheridan, Wyo.; 16 grandchildren, Leann Pippinch, Clint Hecker, Justin Hecker, Kari Hecker, Brent Hecker, Stephanie Hatter, Nicole Hecker, Ryan Hecker, Bill Hecker, Rachel Hecker, Monica Sandmeier, Brittany Sandmeier, Skyler Heck, Colin Meyer, Nathan Hecker and Cameron Hecker; 11 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Lawrence (Lillian) Boltz, Florence, Ore., Gordon Boltz, Columbus, Mont., and Robert Boltz, Tensleep, Wyo.; and two sisters, Cecilia Simioniw, Dickinson and Veronica (Pete) Hecker, Richardton. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Martin, Clarence, George, James, John, William and Raymond; and sisters, Clara Molm, Leona Woods and Margaret Boltz.
