Betty Mae Sloboda

Betty Mae Sloboda, (nee: Lidster) age 82, died Thursday, January 30, 2020, at the Pomeroy Living Center in Sterling Heights, Michigan.  Betty was born August 5, 1937 in Hamtramck, Michigan, daughter of the late John George Lidster and the late Caresa "Clara" (nee: Bogdanski) Lidster.

Betty was raised in Warren and later graduated from Warren High School.  Following her schooling, she worked as a clerk and secretary for Chrysler Motors.  Betty would later meet the love of her life, Bob Sloboda, and the couple would be inseparable from their marriage on May 20, 1957 until their heavenly reunion 62 years later.

Betty and Bob raised six wonderful children together in a loving and musically inclined household.  Betty was the consummate "stay at home" mom who found great joy in raising her children, cooking, cleaning, and was passionate about her flower garden.  Additionally, Betty was a girl scout leader for her daughters, taking the girls on field trips camping, skiing, and many other outdoor activities.  During the summers Bob and Betty would load up the car, with kids and gear in tow, for their annual two-week adventure traveling to different historical locations so the kids could enjoy their trip along with learning a bit about American history.

Betty was a very active woman caring for her family and home along with working at St. Josaphat Church typing up the weekly bulletin, and volunteering her time for her children's activities.  In 1975 Betty returned to full time employment, working in the executive dining room for General Motors alongside her mother and sister.  She continued working in food preparation at the General Motors cafeteria where she became known for her artistic food creations and knife carving.  Betty could carve alligators out of pickles, roses from tomatoes, and penguins from fruit.  Over the years at General Motors, she delighted the employees with her unique creativity.

Following her retirement, after 29 years working at General Motors, Betty's paramount focus was her family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Any chance to help out caring for the grandchildren, Betty offered her services. She relished the time spent with the children. Later in the day, when the home became quiet, Betty would curl up with a crossword or word search puzzle to solve.  Another passion for Betty and her husband was to travel the World with the Nomads Travel Club.  Bob and Betty traveled and explored many exotic locations including Australia, New Zealand, and the Fiji Islands. She will forever be remembered by her family and friends as a loving, kind, giving soul, that will never be forgotten. 

Betty was the beloved wife of the late Peter “Bob” Sloboda who died November 28, 2019, and the dearest mother of Debbie (Chris) Campbell, Jackie (Tom) Brennan, Sherry (the late Mark) Masterson, Sue Sloboda, William (Nancy) Sloboda, and Diane (Joe) Sloboda. She was the loving grandmother of Matt Campbell, Andy (Beth) Campbell, Sarah Masterson, Katie (Daniel) Manivanh, and great-grandmother of Emily, Luke, Levi, Morgan, and Noah. Betty is also survived by her sister Audrey (Ray) Smiecinski, and her many cherished family members and friends.

Visitation for Mrs. Sloboda will be held on Tuesday, February 4th from 3-9 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren. Mrs. Sloboda will lie in state on Wednesday from 11:00 am until time of the Funeral Mass at 11:30 am at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 95 Market Street in Mt. Clemens.  Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Dale Redwanski.

Memorial donations are appreciated to Seasons Hospice, 8537 Solution Center, Chicago, IL 60677. 

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