Betty Painter went to be with the Lord on January 10, 2010. She battled Huntington's Disease for many years and decided she had fought long and hard enough. She died at Custer Senior Care as they were getting her ready for breakfast – her favorite meal of the day.

Betty was born in Yankton, SD, on May 15, 1928, to William and Laura (Weiland) Holzapfel. Her family moved to Sioux Fall where she attended school and met her husband, who happened to be her brother's best friend. They were married in Sioux Falls on May 30, 1946. They moved from Sioux Falls to Plentywood, MT, where their children were born, Robbie and Danny. In 1956, they moved to Custer.

Betty had the grace of a southern belle and the tenacity of a pioneer woman. She loved life and showed it through her humor and her outrageous laughing. She was adventurous and always looked to experience something new. Betty loved parties and truly was the "belle of the ball."

She had been very involved in her community. She had been a Grey Lady volunteer, raised money for Sister Kenny Foundation, delivered Meals on Wheels, and President of Historical Society. She belonged to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, directed the Cherub Choir, and a member of her church guild and Dorcas Society.

She loved to travel, and she and Bob would spend two or three months in California or Texas while the Custer winters blasted. There had always been a family trip in the spring. She and Robbie took a trip to London. Betty loved her first trip to Europe. While there they attended Cats. When the song, Memories, was performed, she and Robbie sobbed through the whole song. Memories made from "Memories."

Her flower gardens were a thing of beauty. She was happiest from spring thaw to fall frost when she could "get her hands dirty" and create such beauty.

She was a seamstress beyond measure. Always "dressed to the nines" and definitely a fashion statement.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, her son, Danny, and her brother, Darwin. She is survived by her sister, Wilma Antonson, Montana, daughter, Robbie (Al) Murchison, Rapid City, and grandchildren, Nathan Fleming, Tennessee; Jake (Jeni) Fleming, Montana; Scott (Selina) Painter, Washington; and Jennifer (Ben) Cowles, California, and daughter-in-law, Adele Painter, California. She had seven great-grandchildren: Katie, Janessa, Abigail, Madeline, Samuel, and Micayla Painter, and Sarah Fleming. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A special thank you to Custer Regional Senior Care for their wonderful love and attention given to my mom during her eight years at the facility. You are truly all angels.

Betty will be cremated at her request, and there will be no immediate services held. A private family service will be held at a later date.

Memorials can be made to the Huntington's Disease Society.

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