Betty Pauline Barclay Hildebrand
Betty Hildebrand left us to be with the Lord on Friday, October 30, 2020. She was 93 years young when heaven welcomed a remarkable soul.
For those who would like to see her and say good-bye, all are welcome to a visitation on Saturday, November 7th from 10am to 2pm at Cantlon-Otterness & Viets funeral home in Buffalo, Missouri. Due to Covid-19, the family will provide masks and socially distance. A small religious service for the family will be held at 2pm. Betty will also be remembered with a prayer of recognition by Pastor Tony Butcher during Sunday’s service at Hopewell Freewill Baptist Church in Tunas.
Betty was the eldest of Noah and Zella Barclay’s six children. She was her class valedictorian and earned a college scholarship. In 1947, she married a sailor, James Ralph Hildebrand of Windyville, and they were married 67 years before his death in 2015. She is survived by her sister Beulah Buerge.
Ralph & Betty followed jobs to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where they had four daughters, Pam, Sherri, Penny and Polly. Betty’s goal was to raise strong, caring, independent women, and she did. There was nothing more fun or loud than a silly and hilarious Hildebrand gathering.
Betty was smart, funny, compassionate, quick witted, and ahead of her time. She fought for women’s rights and equal pay in the 70’s and paved the way for working women.
Betty and Ralph retired to the Lake of the Ozarks before settling in Buffalo closer to family and friends. The woman who couldn’t sew joined the Quilt Club ladies to entertain. She played basketball in high school and became an NBA superfan. Kevin Durant and LeBron James were the sons she never had.
One of her final wishes was to take care of those she loved at Hopewell Church in Tunas. Please support them financially if you can.
Shed a tear but know that Betty lived a full and happy life. She also leaves behind amazing sons-in-law, 6 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
Family and friends have told us over and over this week, “Betty was easy to love.”
