Elizabeth Ecklund

Elizabeth Kay (Betty) Ecklund of Conneaut Lake passed away Sunday, June 6, 2023. She was born at home in New Alexandria, PA December 16, 1930, a daughter of Albert Karl Hepler and Alice Tippery Hepler. She married Arnold Victor Ecklund May 27, 1955. He preceded her in death May 9, 2009.

Betty graduated from Youngwood, PA High School in 1948 and from Slippery Rock State Teachers College in 1952. She taught Health and Physical Education at Edinboro Junior and Senior High School 1955-1958.

Betty and Arnold were married in the Presbyterian Church in Edinboro by Rev. Hogenboom, a Holocaust survivor. They moved to Conneaut Lake where they raised four children and lived the rest of their lives.

Betty was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Conneaut Lake and became a part of a group to start a library for the town. She was on the Library Board and then the Librarian for the Margaret Shontz Memorial Library for 31 years. This was a position she loved, for she had been an avid reader all her life.

A Bridge enthusiast, Betty belonged to three Bridge Clubs. She was a member of the Shady Avenue Dock Association. In the summer, she walked to Shady Dock most nice days to take a swim or visit with dock friends. She was a fan of the local sports teams, as well as the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Elaine Kay Ecklund, a sister, Anna Mary Hoffman, and three brothers Robert H. Hepler, Andrew K. Hepler, and David R. Hepler.

Betty is survived by three children, Lynn (Mark) Espin of Warren PA, Andrew Karl Ecklund (Jodi Grant) of Tallmadge OH, and Jeannie (Tate) DeCray of Ellicott City, MD; and grandchildren David (Melissa) Espin, Brian (Nina) Espin, Lara (Mike) Groshek and Luke DeCray; and great-grandchildren Cole and Mia Groshek and Brooks Espin; her special friends, Cindy Leonard, Mary Deaner, Marge Weyel, Mary and Tom Donegan and Monnie Avenue Neighbors who she relied on for help many times.

Viewing hours will be held at Dickson Funeral Home 130 N. 2nd St., Conneaut Lake, PA  on Thursday, June 8 from 2-4pm. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Donations may be made to the Margaret Shontz Memorial Library, P.O. Box 5117 Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 or the charity of your choice.

Please sign Betty’s online guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 130 N. 2nd St., Conneaut Lake, PA 16316, Rocco R. Tedesco III, Supervisor.