Elizabeth Wilcox Eickelberg

Elizabeth (Betty) Wilcox Eickelberg passed away at the age of 96 surrounded by family on Sunday, June 10, 2012. Betty was born in Minneapolis, MN, on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1915, to Jay and Bernice Augustine. After graduating from high school in Minneapolis, Betty attended Carleton College for two years and then graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught for two years in Onalaska, Wisconsin.

On June 16, 1939, Betty married Russell Wilcox. They raised a family of three daughters. In 1955, Russ moved his family to Billings, Montana, where he and Betty opened the Wilcox Travel Agency. Russ died in 1979. Betty also taught kindergarten in her home for many years and then in 1966, Betty went to work at Rocky Mountain College as assistant to the registrar until she retired in 1986.

After retiring, Betty kept busy with and enjoyed her many volunteer activities. She was one of the original volunteers at the Alberta Bair Theatre; she delivered “Meals on Wheels” for many years and volunteered at Deaconess Hospital and Global Village. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church and the bell choir, the Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society and a charter member of the Flaming Arrow Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association and a member of RSVP.[blockquote align=”left” cite=”” color=”” bcolor=”f2e5c6″ ]A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church on Friday, June 15th at 1pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to First Congregational Church, the Rocky Mountain College Endowment Fund, Global Village or the charity of your choice. [/blockquote]

On October 10, 1987, Betty married Bob Eickelberg. They spent 9 ½ wonderful years together enjoying golfing and traveling.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, her sister Margaret Culver, and her son-in-law Ken Cranston. She is survived by her three daughters – Maggie (Les) Hilliard of Big Sky, Susan Cranston, of Billings, and Carole (Fred) Fisher of Seattle. Betty has six grandchildren, Mike (Dawn) Hilliard of Friday Harbor, WA; Ryan (Rachel) Hilliard of Seattle; Steve (Susie) Cranston of Billings; Nathan (Cassie) Cranston of Missoula; Gaia (Tom) Lukevich of Seattle; and Stephanie (Tom) Keen of Columbus, GA, and five great grandchildren Matt and Kara Cranston of Billings and Josephine, Solomon and Lydia Hilliard of Seattle. Step-children are Joan (Art) Hart of Helena; Jere (Karen) Eickelberg of Bozeman; Janet (Jim) Hopper of Louisville, CO; and Judy (Gary) Doll of Billings, and many step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church on Friday, June 15, 2012at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to First Congregational Church, the Rocky Mountain College Endowment Fund, Global Village or the charity of your choice.

Betty was a truly special lady with unlimited energy and selfless compassion and will be missed by all who loved her and were touched by her.