Betty Eugene Ensley Bidwell, 95, of Wabash, Indiana, passed away at 5:00 am, Monday, February 8, 2021 at Bickford Cottage of Wabash. Formerly of Estero, Florida, she had been a resident of Florida since 1977. She was born July 3, 1925 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of Maynard “Max” and Maple Princess (Ogden) Ensley.
Mrs. Bidwell was a 1943 graduate of Angola High School in Angola, Indiana. She attended Indiana University and pledged the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. She married Leon Merle Bidwell in Fort Wayne, Indiana on March 26, 1948; he died September 23, 2017. Betty was a homemaker and resided in Roann, IN for 26 years while raising her family. She was a member of the Roann Matrons Club and the Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Bidwell enjoyed fashion, sewing, crafting and bargain hunting. She loved entertaining friends and family at their lake home over the years. She took joy in numerous years living in the Florida sun, boating, golfing,and beachcombing for shells. She also treasured the time spent traveling in the motorhome. Betty belonged to the First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs and volunteered weekly in the church thrift shop. She also volunteered for 20 years at the Bonita Community Healthcare Center.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Tara (Tim) Hornbacker of New Paris, Ohio, Linda (Jeff) Sampson of Wabash, and Janet (Mason) Boyd of Dexter, Iowa, nine grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, Leon Merle Bidwell, her parents, and her daughter, Sherri Lynn Ford.
Services will be held at the Akron Cemetery in Akron, Indiana when it is safe to gather and travel for the family. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bickford Cottage of Wabash.
The memorial guest book for Betty may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Betty Eugene Bidwell, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.