Betty Joyce Nelson, 90, of Pierre, South Dakota, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Maryhouse in Pierre. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 10:30 Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 Thursday, October 29, 2026 at Lutheran Memorial Church in Pierre with burial at Riverside cemetery.
Betty lived a life filled with love, laughter, hard work, and devotion to her family. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her strong spirit, and the joy she found in life’s simple pleasures.
Betty grew up on the family ranch near Iona, South Dakota, where she learned early the importance of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. She attended country school in Iona through the eighth grade before continuing her education at Chamberlain High School, graduating in 1954. She later attended school in Springfield, South Dakota, where she earned a one-year secretarial certificate, preparing her for the working years ahead.
Betty’s life took a wonderful turn when she met the love of her life, Roderick, at a dance club. The two were married on November 22, 1961, beginning a life together centered on love and family. They were blessed with three children, LaRie, Michael, and Dori, who brought great happiness and purpose to their lives.
Betty began her working career with North Western Bell before making the decision to stay home and raise her children. Being a mother was a role she cherished, and her caring nature extended beyond her own family as she also babysat for many. As her children grew older, Betty returned to the workforce, holding positions at Country King and Sutley’s. Wherever she worked, she was known for being dependable, hardworking, and always willing to lend a helping hand.
While Betty enjoyed tending to her beautiful flower gardens, anyone who knew her knew that her enthusiasm for sports was hard to match. She was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and rarely missed an opportunity to watch a game. She also faithfully followed Duke basketball and the Minnesota Vikings, cheering on her favorite teams through the victories and the disappointments. Sports brought her countless hours of enjoyment and were always a favorite topic of conversation.
As much as Betty loved her sports, nothing could compare to the love she had for her family. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest treasures, and she took tremendous pride in each of them. Whether celebrating their accomplishments, sharing stories, or simply enjoying time together, Betty treasured the moments spent with those she loved. Her family was the center of her world, and the love she gave them will remain one of her most cherished legacies.
Grateful for having shared in Betty’s life are her children, LaRie Whaley, Michael (Theresa) Nelson, and Dori Carter; her grandchildren, Chris (Kendra) Carter, Colton (Kristen) Carter, Brenna Nelson, Curtis (Meghan) Nelson, Cheyenne Sarceno, and Jack (Kaitlyn) Whaley; great grandchildren, Effy Carter, Ezlynn Carter, Sullivan Carter, Covey Carter and Josephine Nelson; step son David (Deanne) Nelson; step daughter Cheryl Nicholas; and her nieces, Christie (Mark) Young and Marcie (Ruben) Chavez. She also leaves behind many treasured memories among her extended family and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Mary Godager; her beloved husband, Roderick; her son-in-law, Monty Carter; her brothers, Charles Godager and Ben Godager; baby sister Elisa Godager; her nieces, Leslie and Laurie and step son-in-law Nick Nicholas.
