Betty Sindelar

Visitation: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Family to Receive Friends: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Funeral Service: Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church.

Graveside Service: Custer County Cemetery.

Betty Jane Meidinger Sindelar, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, died on October 16, 2009. She had battled cancer for several years and had won but then succumbed to a sudden illness at the Holy Rosary Healthcare Hospital in Miles City, Montana.

Betty was born at the family home in Hebron, North Dakota on March 20, 1939 to Emelia (Nagel) and Emmanuel Meidinger. She attended a country school in Kinsey for her elementary years and then took the high school bus 25 miles on a gravel road to Custer County High School where she graduated in 1957. Betty married George Sindelar in 1958 at the community-built Kinsey Church. They were the first couple to be married there and later completed their family with three children: Julie, Mark, and Michael. Betty and George noted 50 years together in June 2008 in a wonderful celebration with family and friends. Betty juggled her time as Mom and workingwoman at various companies in Miles City until 1970 when she accepted a position at the Pine Hills Correction Facility where she worked for over 30 years before retiring in 2001.

She loved being involved in the community and served whenever she could. She belonged to the Jayceens and served as president in 1979. She also served as president of Drove of Does in 1996 and secretary in 1998. She and George received the Veteran Volunteer of the Year awards for 2008-09 for the State of Montana given by the Elks National Veterans Service commission. Betty was a member of the Methodist Church for over 50 years and belonged to the Mary Martha Circle. She served on The Community Concert Board; was a member of the Town and Country Club; was a volunteer for VA Bingo and Meals on Wheels. She loved gathering with her friends in the Red Hat Society and had fun with her bowling and dart league friends as well as with her Pinochle Club.

She was dearly loved by family and friends and her and Georges home was always a gathering place for their family and friends throughout their 50 years of marriage. She was kind and generous and was eager to lend a hand when she could. She was the family historian and had a wealth of information to share that is irreplaceable. And yes, all those who knew Betty knew she loved collecting all things Betty Boop. She also enjoyed cooking, reading, playing cards, and just being there to support family and friends, to laugh or cry with them. She dearly loved her church family. Betty truly lived the saying, No matter how big or no matter how small, a family together is the best gift of all.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emelia and Emmanuel Meidinger and her husband, George.

She is survived by their three children; Julie Sindelar Groggel and husband Ken; Mark Sindelar and wife Donna; Michael Sindelar and wife Joslyn and their three children Avery, Damon and Mallory. She is also survived by her siblings and spouses: Janice and Gene Place, Nancy Branum and Jack Fiechtner, Carlie and Sharon Meidinger, Dorothy and Bob McLain, Cookie and Doug Linsted, and many nephews, nieces, and relatives. She was especially close to Scott and Kasey Branum and their two sons Jason and Jared who fondly called her Auntsy Betty.

Betty, you will be in our hearts forever and we will always miss you.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, the local VA Nursing Home Care Unit or a charity of your choice.