Betty was born on November 26, 1934 in Edmonton, Alberta to Margaret and Philip Kendal. She grew up primarily in Edmonton, recalling stories of how she roamed and explored the N. Saskatchewan River banks, watched shows at the Garneau Theatre, met her father on the High Level Bridge as he bicycled home from work, and how much Christmas’s meant to the Kendal family. In her youth she also lived for a brief time in Vegreville, AB, which instilled in her a love for small towns and rural life. Following graduation from Garneau High School, Betty worked at the Royal Bank in downtown Edmonton. She met the love of her life Charles “Evert” Lindholm at a YWCA singles dance, and it wasn’t long before he was waiting outside the bank every day to take her home. Following a brief courtship they were married at the Holy Trinity Church on
July 10, 1953.
The Lindholm family’s numbers quickly grew until there were
5 daughters born in total. Family meant everything to Betty, as Evert’s work moved them to Pincher Creek, AB, Fort Nelson BC, Crowsnest Pass, Calgary and DeWinton, AB. She grew large productive gardens, raised chickens/turkeys, rode horses, picked Saskatoons, volunteered at the church, and played piano with her girls singing old WW 2 songs at her side. She drove the Alaska Highway (gravel at that time), drew her girl’s feet on paper so that she could order mukluks from the aboriginal women, and sewed matching dresses for her girls to attend the annual Trapper’s Rendezvous, all the time loving the northern way of life. Together with Evert and her daughters, she built a log cabin by hand at Corbin, B.C. Cross-country skiing at night, with “her” Evert at Corbin with the moon to light their way, were memories she cherished. In her later years Betty completed her Bronze Cross Lifesaving and managed the swimming pool in the Crowsnest Pass.
Moving to Calgary and later DeWinton, AB helped her continue in her personal growth, and create new memories. The first thing she did was enter the Mount Royal College Faculty of Nursing. She was an honor student and was passionate about learning and caring for her patients. She retired from the Foothills Medical Centre at a young age of 75 years. She travelled to NewFoundland, Hawaii, Syracuse, NY, Disneyland, Comox, BC, Mount Rushmore, N.D., Quebec City, and Mexico. She swam the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Betty loved camping, wiener roasts and had fond memories of spending time at her trailer at Lake Koocanusa. She was a fantastic cook. She loved animals, especially Golden Retrievers and is known to have had at least 4 of them, along with 2 litters of puppies. She danced with the Okotok’s Seniors, and attended fitness classes forming many friendships. She earned her Commissioner of Oaths and married numerous grandchildren, and seniors who wanted to tie the knot.
Betty had a deep Christian faith. It guided her in all her decisions as she prayed daily, not only for personal guidance, but for others too. She always financially supported a foster child, and found such joy in their letters and accomplishments, especially if they were furthering their education. Betty always cared for her fellow human being, and it is this teaching and modeling that is missed so much by her sister Peggy Elzinga; her brothers Wallis and Keith Kendal; her daughters and son-in-law’s Jane (Loren) Bowman, Mary-Ann Martin (Walter Bilyk), Christine (John) Hawkins, Carol Lindholm (Hugh Wishart), and Marita (Bill) Skelly; her 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren; and her dog Cayley.
Thank you so much to the AHS Home Care nurses and Palliative Care team, All About Seniors staff, and the Foothills Country Hospice team. Your care and support helped Mom (Nanny) on her journey, until she calmly met her Lord on January 1st 2020.
Donations can be made in memory of Mary Lindholm (Betty) to the Foothills Country Hospice (Okotoks) or Operation Smile Canada.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at the Full Gospel Church at
917-14 Ave SW, Calgary, Saturday, February 15, 2020, at 1 pm.
