Betty Hald's Obituary
Betty Lou Hald (Applebee) was born on Dec 27th, 1931 and passed away on January 19th, 2017, at the age of 85. She was born and raised on a farm in Nebraska and lived in and around Grand Island and Omaha for several years into adulthood. In her twenties, she moved to California with her husband Keith; they eventually settled in San Diego. She and Keith married young and they were happy together for more than 60 years. She was always very fond of San Diego: The city, the ocean, the people, and not in the least, the warm climate. She adjusted to San Diego so well that in her later years, Betty would often mockingly complain that it was bitterly cold when the temperature dropped below the 60s.After Ed was born, Betty dedicated herself to her children and the many animals she kept around the house. She was a wonderful mother to Ed and Lea Ann, always helping and encouraging them. She also took great care of her mother when she got elderly.Betty loved reading the newspaper, doing various arts and crafts, and watching some TV. For many years, she was a productive artist and oil painter; some of her works still fill up the walls in her house. She liked fixing things up – together with Keith she was always busy hanging new curtains, fixing a leaky faucet, or making replacement doors match the rest of the kitchen.She worked so many different jobs it would take a book to detail them all. With typical can-do attitude, she did everything from sorting eggs in a factory to helping students find career opportunities. This kept her young at heart and healthy for almost all of her life.She visited Saudi Arabia, where her son Ed lives, in early 2016, where she toured the country, saw the sites and polka danced in a bar in Dubai. Betty was diagnosed with lung cancer in October 2016. Luckily, it did not affect her too much and she continued to be herself, with twinkling eyes, a warm smile and always ready to help. She spent as much time as she could with her daughter Lea Ann in Los Angeles, so she could see her grand children Delphine and Jenna.Early January, she landed in the hospital with pneumonia and she never really recovered from that. She passed away peacefully on Thursday Jan 19th 2017, while Lea Ann was holding her hand and only two days after she waved Ed out, back on his way to the Middle East.Betty is survived by her son Ed Hald & Susan; and her daughter Lea Ann & Dirk, Delphine and Jenna. Her husband Keith passed away in August of 2015
What’s your fondest memory of Betty?
What’s a lesson you learned from Betty?
Share a story where Betty's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Betty you’ll never forget.
How did Betty make you smile?