Betty J. Didriksen, age 89 of Helena

Betty Didriksen, our beloved mother, grandma, and great-grandma, passed away peacefully on the morning of July 27, 2023 at age 89, with family by her side.  Her unwavering Catholic faith prepared her for this journey home.

Betty, born Elizabeth Julia Schell, was born into very humble beginnings at her grandmother’s house in Balta, North Dakota.  She was the fourth of seven children born to Joseph and Mary (Senger) Schell, and lived her early years in Orrin, North Dakota.  Times were tough, as they were for many.  They only spoke German at home, so starting grade school was hard for her.  Eventually, her father relocated to East Helena to work at the smelter.  A few at a time, the rest of the family followed in the months to come.  Betty rode the train from North Dakota to Montana with her sister Catherine and brother Eddy in October 1944.  Their mother joined them later, after staying behind in North Dakota while in and out of the hospital with illness.  Mom often said this was the scariest time of her life, and it was the love and support she received from her sister that cemented their lifelong bond.  Catherine continued to be her best friend until her passing in 2021.

Betty graduated from Cathedral High in 1952.  She started her work career at Woolworth’s in Helena at age 15, riding the bus from East Helena to Helena.  When the bus service ended, the first thing she did was buy herself a 1942 Mercury Coupe.  This was one of her proudest accomplishments, as her parents never owned a car.

Eventually she found herself working at the Sky-Hi Drive-In Theater, where she met her future husband of 50 years, Don Didriksen.  Don built the theater with his brother Keith and good friend, Ralph Hahn.  Her marriage to Don in 1958 brought together two honest, hardworking people who went on to have three beautiful children.  They were the perfect pair, as Don saw the big picture, while Betty (meticulously!) took care of the details and bookwork.  Their early success with the theater led to their start of several additional local businesses, which continue today to be owned and operated by their kids and grandkids.  Betty continued taking care of the books until her early 80’s.  Although she stepped back in recent years, we continued to call her with questions.  Whether the questions were related to her filing system (which we still can’t figure out), or something that happened with the businesses decades ago, she was always able to provide an accurate answer.

Betty and Don didn’t get away often because of their work schedule.  When they did get away, they spent time in the early years with Ralph and Marlene Hahn, even buying a vacation home together in Tucson which they kept until Ralph’s untimely passing.  They also enjoyed many adventures with their dear friends Clayton and Arlene Sparrow, riding their Goldwings to places in the northwest, southwest, and Canada.  The stories of those escapades have kept her and us laughing for years.

Betty’s love and dedication to family meant that her home was open day and night, to any of us, for any reason.  She wanted to constantly be surrounded by her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, and never seemed to tire of us.  Each and every one of us has benefited from her love and willingness to help.  At age 79, she graciously provided part-time daycare to her first great-granddaughter, Madelyn, so her parents could work and finish college.  Her great-grandson, Logan, was recently asked what Great Grandma will be remembered most by, and he was quick to answer it will be her kindness to all.

With her constant attention to faith, family, and work, it was always nice to see when she would take a few moments to herself, to admire her flowers, watch the birds, put a puzzle together, listen to old Country music (boy, did she like to dance!), or merely sit down to just observe her friends and family.  Mom’s humbleness, honesty, compassion, and love of family and faith will forever provide us with guidance and strength.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Don, parents Joseph and Mary, siblings Rosemary Kelly, Catherine Petek, Joseph, Edward, and Raymond Schell, and many extended family members and dear friends.  She is survived by her children, Kellie (Jerry Mathews), Paul (Sue), and Ken Didriksen, her grandkids Blair (Tyler) Gisleson, Tina (Ryan) Goyins-Ball, James, Colton, Harley, and Jenny Didriksen, Chris Kerins, Niah and Kylee Pennington, three wonderful great-grandchildren, brother Fred (Lorraine) Schell, brother-in-law Peter Petek, cherished friend Arlene Sparrow, and many nieces and nephews near and far, too numerous to list.

We would like to express our appreciation to Marie Lavinder for providing daily support over the past two years, as well as to Mom’s friends at Hunter’s Pointe, Pat and Art, and John and Dee, whom she spoke of often.

Please join us for a Mass of Christian Burial at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church at 12:00pm on Friday, August 4, 2023.  Rosary will be at 11:30am before Mass.  Interment will follow the funeral at St. Ann’s Cemetery in East Helena with a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church (120 W Riggs, East Helena, MT 59635) or to St. Ann’s Cemetery Association (PO Box 525, East Helena, MT 59635).    Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Betty.

Service Schedule

Rosary

11:30 a.m.

Friday August 4, 2023

SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church

120 W Riggs

East Helena, Montana 59635

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Funeral Mass

12:00 p.m.

Friday August 4, 2023

SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

120 W Riggs

East Helena, Montana 59635

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Burial

Following the service

Friday August 4, 2023

Saint Ann's Cemetery

East helena, Montana 59635

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Reception

Following the burial

Friday August 4, 2023

SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church

120 W Riggs

East Helena, Montana 59635

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