Betty Johanna Watson

Betty J. Watson, age 85, of Dell Rapids, SD, passed away at Ava’s Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids, with Rev. William Byllesby officiating.  Private family only burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.

A time of visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the church in Dell Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be directed to the Lighthouse Ministry at the church.

Betty J. Byllesby was born on June 20, 1937, in Sioux Falls to parents Herschel and Henrietta (VanDerMeer) Byllesby.  She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington High School in 1956.  After graduation, she worked a few jobs including Terry’s Cleaners which is where she met her future husband.  Betty married Charles Watson on June 19, 1962, in Mitchell, SD, followed by a honeymoon trip to the Seattle World’s Fair.  They made their home on a farm in rural Dell Rapids and raised their family there.

Betty was a member of the United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids for 52 years and was active in the United Methodist Women, ladies circle, was the Sunday school treasurer, led the funeral ladies group for many years, and actively supported the Lighthouse Ministries Wednesday community meals.  She joined the TOPS club in Baltic in the early 1970s and was very active for over 50 years.  With TOPS, she held every locally elected position at least once, including the president’s chair for over twenty years.  She formed a Red Hat Ladies group in Dell Rapids and enjoyed the socialization for many years.  She was also a member of the Dell Rapids Hospital Auxiliary, delivered meals on wheels, was active in a senior social group in Sioux Falls, and was a regular at the Dell Rapids Senior Center lunch group for many years. Her hobbies included making crafts for charity and as fundraisers for her many clubs (such as making May baskets), attending local concerts and plays, and dining with friends at any local fundraiser within 50 miles of her home.  She is fondly remembered by many as the “unofficial taxi” of friends, ensuring any who needed a ride could make it to church, medical appointments, and necessary errands.

Betty passed away on March 15, 2023, at Ava House after suffering a severe stroke.

Betty is survived by two sons, Robert Watson, St Louis Park, MN and Thomas Watson and his wife McKenzie, Sioux Falls; two daughters, Mary Watson, Colorado Springs, CO and Lisa Hochhalter and her husband Barry, Sioux Falls; six grandchildren, Carter, Austin, Mackenzie, Pyper, Caden and Quincy; a brother William and his wife Doreen Byllesby, High Point, NC; two sisters, Rosemary and her husband Robert Ostrander, Hattiesburrg, MS; Joan Miller, Hastings MN; sister-in-law, Sharon Byllesby, Sioux Falls; many nieces and nephews and friends.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, parents, sister Phyllis Hiler and brother Richard Byllesby.