Betty Rae (Ganett) Hildesheim, 82

In loving memory of Betty Rae (Ganett) Hildesheim, aged 82 years. Betty married James T. Hildesheim, “Tom,” on Sept. 20, 1955, and they recently celebrated 65 years together. They raised four children, daughters Sharon Hildesheim in Athol, Idaho and Patricia Hildesheim Barnes in Boise, Idaho; and son, Jeffry Hildesheim (wife and beloved daughter-in-law, Jewel Lund Hildesheim), at Hauser Lake, ldaho.

Betty was preceded in death by her son, Michael Eric Hildesheim.

Betty has two sisters, Patsy Garrett, in Spokane, Wash., and Mary Jones in Phoenix, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Oscar Garrett, and her parents, Wayne Kelly Ganett, and Janetta Marie Satter Garrett. Betty was blessed with so many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She could say all their names and most of their birthdays off the top of her head. She knew each one.

Betty is survived by eight grandchildren: Jannetta Cunningham (husband, Paul), Shawn Hildesheim, Hazel Owens (husband, Kevin), Justin Barnes, Cara Harris, Braden Barnes, Marc Hildesheim (wife, Stephanie), Scott Hildesheim (wife, Megan), and "adopted" grandsons, Christopher Gossett (wife, Nicole) and Russell Harris (wife, Dawn). Betty had 17 great-grandchildren: Blake, Megan, Dylan, Kyle, Leland, Logan, Azreal, Ashtyn Grae, Rowan, Peyton, Lane, Olivia, Faith, Hudson, Evalee, Evan Thomas and Chloe.

Betty had many "adopted children and grandchildren" over the years; she welcomed many of her children's friends as her own. A few she often talked about were Dusty Banderob (wife, Lisa), Brett Gossett (and his wife, Shawna, and son, Christopher), Russell Harris and Katie Harris. Mom loved people and she never met a stranger. She was blessed to be in the moment, no matter where she was; she was interested in others and the things important to them.

Family was everything to this dear lady who wrote stories all her life, had an incredible memory and was known for her chocolate chip cookies and fried chicken. Betty loved to talk and would talk about anything. She had so many random facts in her head that you wanted her on your side in any trivia contest. She was a great fan of Jeopardy and loved to read. She always had a book or two at hand so she could steal moments reading.

Betty had a Bachelor's degree in liberal arts, with a major in English, graduating with highest honors while raising four small children. Betty was always very frugal and went without a lot of things so her children could have what they wanted. The truth is, things did not mean much to her; she would rather have people around sharing, playing games or visiting. She did not care about makeup or the like.

The greatest love of her life was always Tom, which never wavered. He was her prince who she always loved with stars in her eyes when she spoke of him. I have never met anyone who loved a man more than Betty loved Tom. He was her hero, her love, her friend forever.

The family wishes to thank Kindred Hospice, especially Connie, Natalia and Lacey, for making her last months comfortable, as well as Janet Cunningham and Sharon Hildesheim, for staying with her and caring for her. It meant so much to have family helping her and Tom so she could stay in the home she loved.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at a later date.