Funeral Services for Betty Eskildsen, 84, of Bull Shoals, Arkansas will be 11AM Saturday November 12, 2011, at the Bull Shoals United Methodist Church with Reverend Donny Hudson officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7PM Friday November 11, 2011, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home in Bull Shoals, AR. Betty passed away at home Sunday November 6, 2011 surrounded by her family.
Betty was born August 11, 1927, at Herscher, IL to Henry and Irene Curwick Grinstead. She married her husband of 65 years Neil Eskildsen May 18, 1946, at Dwight, IL. Betty worked out of her home as a beautician then as a secretary for Singer Sewing Machines and finally the family business, Minneapolis Moline Farm and Auto Sales. Betty and Neil moved to Bull Shoals from Reddick, IL in 1985. Betty lived her strong Christian faith by caring for others. She was the first female EMT for the fire department in Reddick, IL. After moving to Bull Shoals she was a member of the Lion?s Club, Bull Shoals Fire Department Auxiliary, Bull Shoals Police Auxiliary, Hoevel-Barnett VFW Ladies Auxiliary, volunteer at the Little Bit Used Shop, and could be found working along side her sister, Dee at the Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts. She was a member of the Bull Shoals United Methodist Church.
Betty is survived by husband Neil of the home; daughter, Lynn Nickels (Marty) of Bull Shoals, AR; son, David Eskildsen (Karen) of Littlestown, PA; brother, Donald Grinstead (Beverly) of CA; sister-in law, Jean Grinstead of Illinois; five grandchildren, Jeff Gardner (Donna) Carrie Marry (Bill), Jill Eskildsen, Kim Parks, and Michael Nickels; twelve great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews and her best buddy Gracie. Her parents; daughter, Sandy Gilbert; brother, Paul Grinstead; and sister, Dolores Merritt, preceded her in death.
Entombment will be private at Kirby?s Tucker Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Bull Shoals Food Pantry, Christmas Wish List or Hospice of the Ozarks. Please visit our online obituary/ guestbook at kirbyandfamily.com