Obit: Hedler, Elizabeth Irene (1912 – 2006)
Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
 

Surnames: Hedler, Kolb, Dodge, Guell, Boden, Brauhn

Source: The Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) March 29, 2006

Hedler, Elizabeth Irene (May 29, 1912 - March 24, 2006)

Elizabeth Irene Hedler, age 93, passed away on Friday morning, March 24, 2006, at Oakbrook Health and Rehab in Thorp, WI. Born in Chippewa Falls, WI, on May 29, 1912, she was the daughter of Charles and Octavia (Kolb) Dodge. Betty was raised in Fairchild and later in Stanley. She graduated from Stanley High School in 1929 and from River Falls State Teachers College in 1931 with a teaching certificate. She married Thomas Hedler on July 16, 1938.

Betty carried on the family tradition of teaching in the public schools and encouraged her daughters to participate in the same way. She taught in the Thorp elementary school between 1931 and 1938 where she had a combined class of fifth and sixth graders. She interrupted her teaching to have her family: two daughters, Ann and Susan. During that time she served on the school board for ten years. It was then that the addition to the school was planned and built.

When she returned to teaching in the early fifties, she taught in the elementary schools of Lublin and Reseburg before again teaching in Thorp. At the same time she attended UW Eau Claire summer schools, receiving a BS Ed in 1960. Later she participated in a summer reading program for elementary students, taking materials to their homes so they could maintain their reading skills through the summer.

Betty enjoyed the many friendships of her fellow teachers through the years. She retired in 1972, having taught 25 years. Betty and Tom spent five of their retirement winters in Arizona and Texas.

Betty lovingly cared for Tom in his final struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and it claimed her life as well.

She delighted in hearing about the activities of her daughters and their children. It is unfortunate that she barely knew her great-grandchildren.

She loved animals, especially dogs. She comforted them and, in turn, was comforted by them. She often took in strays and found homes for them. During her lifetime, she enjoyed the company of Buster, Smokey, Taffy, Puppy Dog, and finally Missie.

Her parents: her husband Tom; and her brother, Robert preceded her in death. Betty’s daughters and their spouses, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive her: Ann and David Guell, Oregon, WI; Susan and Robert Boden, Janesville, WI; David C. Guell, Maplewood, MN; Robert Guell, Terre-Haute, IN; Margaret Guell, Madison, WI; Rob Boden, Janesville, WI; and Tasha Brauhn, Waukesha, WI. The great-grandchildren are Katie, Matt, Madeleine, Ethan, Robby, Ella, and Maggie.

Betty’s family is deeply grateful for the loving care she received from the remarkable staff at Oakbrook Health and Rehab during the ten years she resided there.

The visitation will be held at the Thorp Funeral Home on Thursday, March 30 between 6 and 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at the Thorp Methodist Church on Friday, March 31 at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Jim Altman officiating. A lunch at the church will follow the graveside services.

Memorials may be made to the Thorp Methodist Church, the Thorp Public Library, or the Alzheimer’s Association.