Hortense Roberta Hibbard

Hortense Roberta Hibbard, age 101, passed away peacefully on Oct. 6, 2017, at Porta Caeli Hospice House in Tulsa, OK. Life began for Hortense Feb. 22, 1916, in Netherhill, Saskatchewan, Canada, on the family farm. She was the 3rd daughter of Raliegh and Hallie Nelson (sisters Marjorie and Helen). Hortense and her only brother, Vernon, moved from Canada in 1939 to Abbington, IL. There they both met their spouses and got married in a double wedding on Jan. 13, 1940. Hortense and Darrell Burdette Hibbard had almost 55 years together. He preceded her in death in 1994. They have 2 daughters and 1 son: Barbara (and Daryl) Douglas of Owatonna, MN; Lois (and Keith) Higgins of Tulsa, OK; Darrell Wayne (and Ruthie) Hibbard of Tulsa, OK.; seven grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Hortense had been employed at Hillcrest Hospital and as a practical, private duty nurse until retirement in 1976. While living in Canada she was a switchboard operator and in Abbington she worked at the Levi Blue Jean Factory. Darrell and Hortense moved from Creve Coeur, IL. to Kansas City and in 1962 moved to Tulsa where Darrell worked for Skelly Oil Co. Hortense most recently lived in a loving Residential Care Home, Trusted Kare and also could be seen frequently at Life Senior Services Day Care Facility. Hortense was a good cook and usually, she and Darrell hosted Thanksgiving dinner. From her mother she learned to make many delicious treats like Matrimony cake and Pineapple cream pie, which were usually the first items to be sold at the church bake sales. Hortense's education was in Canada where she attended a one room school house; the 1st graders were called "Busy Bees." When her family moved into town from the farm, they joined the Methodist church, attending Sunday School in the mornings and church services in the evening. As a choir member she had many favorite hymns, two being "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" and "What a Friend We Have In Jesus". She showed her love for the Lord by helping others. Growing up the family had a horse named Bertie G. Though blind from birth, Bertie G took them safely back and forth into town even in the cold wintertime. One shopping trip was cut short when they were caught in a surprise blinding snow storm. They huddled together, praying, while the cutter was carried up and down over the ditches and rock piles and were taken safely home to the barn by that very smart blind horse. Hortense's first airplane ride was to a family reunion in Canada where she was reunited with her 2 sisters after being apart for 22 years from Helen and 25 years from Marjorie. Hortense will be remembered for her gentle, caring spirit, helping others and her love for a good card game with her family. Services will be held 10:00 AM, Monday at Moore's Rosewood Chapel, 2570 S. Harvard. www.moorefuneral.com

Hortense Roberta Hibbard

February 22, 1916 - October 6, 2017