Betty L. Leidigh

Mrs. Betty L. Leidigh, age 91 of Camdenton, Missouri, formerly of Anna, died Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at her son's home in Camdenton, Missouri. She was born February 8, 1922 in Teluride, Colorado, the daughter Leo C. and Verna Mae Townsend Sponsler. Betty is survived by her son, Larry Leidigh of Camdenton, MO; three grandchildren, Amy and Nancy Singelman Colin Leidigh; one great granddaughter, Erica Singelman; other relatives and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Patricia Singelman; and one brother, Bud Sponsler. Betty Leidigh was loved and cared for by all who met her, and for all whom she knew. Her heart of gold and generous spirit was admired and adored by many. Through the years she worked as an Executive Secretary to the Principal at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. We recently just celebrated her and had a fabulous time in honor of her, and the magical person she is. Betty always had two sayings we hold near and dear to us at this time, "don't forget to stop and smell the roses," and "we are all exactly where we are supposed to be in life." After her daughter Patricia, husband, Jim Singelman and two children, Nancy, Special Educator, and Amy Singelman, Bookkeeper, moved from Chicago, IL to California in the 1960's and Betty moved out to be with them as well later. She lived comfortably in Santa Barbara, CA for many years. She worked for Santa Barbara Research and one of her favorite job positions was at Hollister Ranch as the Land Sales office Executive Secretary. She lived in a delightful cottage, and would bring her Grandchildren and family out on the weekends, to ride horses, eat good food, look at the Monarch Butterflies, and love them as she always did. She took her Grandchildren, Nancy and Amy on many trips, one to the Grand Canyon and even flew over the Canyon in a Helicopter. They went to Magic Mountain, had many holiday meals, played cards, and she always bought them new Sunday dresses for the Easter Service, then the egg hunt was one! Betty has a Great Granddaughter, Erica Grace Riley who lives in Ventura with her mother Amy Singelman. Erica was a twinkle in Betty's eye. Erica is a singer, plays Cello and is an aspiring writer. Amy, Erica and Colin Leidigh hold a very special bond and they would often gather with Betty and Larry for Thanksgiving to celebrate the gratitude they have for each other and the family we hold so dear. Her Great Granddaughter Erica is an aspiring Cellist, singer and writer, and was the twinkle in Betty's eye. When Betty lived in Austin Texas she was able to spend quality time with her other Grandson Colin Leidigh, sharing the same gracious spirit as she had with all her other family members. Thanks to Colin, Betty had her last companion "Rosie" the dog for the last 11 years of her life. She was always the one to plan and serve the holiday meals, and boy did we eat! It is hard to forget her divinity, homemade fudge and Pot Roast, and Ham! We laughed around the dinner table, played cards, and she was always filled with great stories of her past and the life she had led. Some things Betty loved to talk about, was her time when she was younger, dancing with her husband Peter Leidigh, and the trips she took with Neet Dillow. They traveled all over together, going to antique stores, and one time they even went to visit Nancy in Clearwater, but refused to stay at her home due to the snake, dog, iguana and mice living in the renter's room! Anita (Neet) Dillow was Betty Leidighs nearest and dearest childhood friend. Anita and Ralph Dillow were very special to her. Rick Dillow, her son is married to Wanda Dillow. They have been very close to Betty and Larry, and have remained bonded family while they reside in Anna, Illinois. Wanda liked to call her "Aunt" Betty, but to the family we saw her as another daughter. Betty was a very spiritual woman, went to church most of her life, and was in tune to the Native American belief system. She had recollection of her Native American history and would share that with her family. She spent many years cross stitching pictures of Native American women with Eagles, and visions of beauty. We know she is with her maker, and her ancestors, and to date her family will carry on the traditions she so lovingly gave to us all. She was very proud of her son Larry Leidigh, he has been with her and cared for her for a very long time, and he has been loyal and faithful till the end. Her wish was to never go into a nursing home, and to pass in her sleep, she went that way. We would call to check on her and she would say how wonderful life is and how she does not have to do a thing, he takes care of everything. We thank Larry from the bottom of our heart for honoring his mother, being steadfast and strong in the times when it was hard, and in giving her wish to the very day she passed. Memorial services for Mrs. Betty L. Leidigh will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 8, 2013 at the United Methodist Church in Anna with Brett Yates and Bill Minor officiating. Interment will be in the Anna City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Anna. Envelopes will be available at the church and at the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna.