On March 30, 2021, Betty Wilsey, 78, passed away from a stroke at Lake Chelan Community Hospital in Chelan, Washington. She was born January 26, 1943 to Leo and Emma (Foster) Breidenbach in Great Falls, Montana.
Betty was raised on a farm at Simms, Montana, and graduated from Simms High School. After high school, she worked as a waitress, bookkeeper and later as a bartender. While living and working in Billings, Montana, she met her future husband, Richard (Dick) Wilsey. They married in 1976. Due to Dick’s job they lived in multiple states and in 1990 they settled in Mansfield, Washington where they enjoyed small-town living and recreational fishing and golfing.
Betty was an active member of the Mansfield Lions Club for 26 years holding various offices and leadership roles. While she took pride in supporting all activities of the Lions, she spent most of her time knitting hats and donating them to cancer patients. Over the past 10 years, Betty donated hundreds of hats to hospitals and treatment centers across Washington. Betty received many awards from Lions International for club growth, as well as multiple club awards for Lion of the Year and the President’s Appreciation Award. However, her greatest achievement was being presented with the Lions International MD-19 District Lion of the Year award. In addition to being a proud Lion, she also served on the Mansfield City Council.
Surviving are a brother, Paul (Alice) Breidenbach of Lewistown, Montana; a sister, Gyda (Jerry) Hudson of Inola, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Maxine Breidenbach of Miles City, Montana and many nieces and nephews. Betty loved the Mansfield community leaving behind many close friends including special friends Clint and Diane Wall and Lynn Pool.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Leo and Emma Breidenbach, her brother Leo Jr., and her husband, Dick.
As per her request there will be no services. We’ll miss ya, “Betsy”.
