Betty Lou (Null) Morgan, 74, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs after a long illness with cancer.

Betty Lou was born January 17, 1936, to Walter and Isabelle 'Ellen' (Coppersmith) Null in Hannover, PA. She was the oldest of seven children.

Betty Lou worked at various jobs in her hometown of Westminster, MD, she graduated from high school there and then joined the Army WAC'S as they were known at that time. She took her basic training in Alabama and was assigned to Fort Mayer, VA, she worked in the Pentagon in Army Radio Relay. It was there she met her husband, Clarence. He was a Sergeant First Class in the Army and also worked in the Pentagon in army communications. After serving 38 months in Japan and Korea during the Korean War, they were married in July 1956 after both were honorably discharged. They were married in Betty Lou's hometown of Westminster, MD. They moved to South Dakota, Clarence's home state, and lived in Hot Springs ever since, raising three wonderful children. Clarence worked at the Veterans Administration in Hot Springs for 27 years and retired as a Capt. from the VA Fire Station.

Betty Lou worked at various jobs before a very debilitating stroke in December 1985. Clarence was able to care for her until August 2009, when she went into nursing care at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home, she also had to deal with cancer for about 15 years until they found she had a type of incurable cancer.

Betty Lou is survived by her husband, Clarence of Hot Springs; daughters, Debbie Jonas of Las Vegas, NV; Kathy Steffen of Hot Springs; and son, Michael Morgan of Rapid City; four brothers, Bob Null, Jim Null, Larry Null, Ronnie Null all of CO; sister, Debbie Simms of New Windsor, MD; and six grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one younger sister, Susan.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 13, 2011 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 14, 2011, at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs with Rev. Gary W. Jacobson officiating. Interment will be at 2:00 P.M., at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD. Military Honors will be provided by the South Dakota National Guard and the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guards.

Betty Lou has requested no flowers, instead a memorial to the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Home Flower Fund, has been established in her memory. Betty Lou was hospitalized at the State Home for many months and she loved to go out and watch Clarence take care of the flowers, which he did for many years. Contributions may be sent to the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home Flower Fund, 2500 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs, SD 57747 or to Clarence Morgan, 604 South River Street, Apt. 8A, Hot Springs, SD 57747.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com