Betty R. Poppen

Betty Poppen, age 94, of Garden City, went into the arms of Jesus on Easter weekend on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at her home in Garden City surrounded by family.

A visitation will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023 at Furness Funeral Home from 5-7 PM and an hour prior to funeral services.  Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 10 AM at the Garden City Methodist Church of Garden City with Pastor Rob Salmonsen officiating.  Following a lunch, burial will be held at 1 PM at Mount Hope Cemetery in Watertown with Pastor Mark Tracy leading.

Betty Ruth Whitford was born on March 1, 1929, in Faith, SD. She was the second daughter and fourth child born to Ira and Ethel Whitford. Her older siblings were Myron, Lois, and Sammy. Following her were Merle, Corrine, Janice, Jesse, Donna, and Sharon. They lived near the Moreau River in western South Dakota on a small acreage. From her storytelling of her childhood, their modest two-bedroom home held a hardworking family.

Betty often talked about how precious books were. It was terrible if one was torn and you paid dearly for it…not in coinage. Betty, however, never had to endure that because she treasured books, and reading, exploring the world between the covers of  those books. She continued to read books to her own children and then just for pleasure until she couldn't anymore.

Betty graduated from grade school and left home to live in Faith, SD with her older sister, Lois, to attend high school. She graduated from high school with honors and enrolled in the Bartron School of Nursing in Watertown, SD. Betty made many close friends there, some of whom are still living today. She passed her state boards with flying colors and became a Registered Nurse.

She met DuWayne Poppen in Watertown, they dated and were married on October 22, 1950. They made their home on a small farm just three miles north of Garden City, SD. She loved the farm. They had one daughter and four sons-Colleen, Kelvin, Russell, Boyd, and Danny. She took care of the farm and the kids while DuWayne was traveling and buying cattle.

Betty was a great cook, and her table was always open to anyone and everyone. She raised a garden second to none and then spent hours canning and freezing her produce. There were always cinnamon rolls or fresh cookies for her kids when they got off the school bus! Betty was also a remarkable seamstress.

She read stories to all her children and usually sang The Old Rugged Cross. Betty's grandchildren and great-grandchildren deeply loved her. She invested so much of her time with them making memories, baking, gardening, and just having fun! She loved each one like they were her only one!

Betty was active in youth activities in the church, Sunday School Teacher, President, and member of the Garden City Women's Society of Christian Service.

She returned to full-time nursing at the Clark Nursing Home where she became the director for 26 years. Betty answered every off-duty, nighttime call and drove back into Clark or walked up the hill to answer the need, no matter what time it came. During those years Beverly (the company that owned Clark Nursing Home) enlisted her to train other nursing homes around the country because her care was impeccable. She won several national awards for her outstanding skills, not only in nursing but in all aspects of directing a nursing home.

She retired from nursing in 1994, remodeled the farmhouse, and moved back to the farm where she lived until her death.

She loved the farm, gardening, all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, watching wildlife, and listening to the birds singing. She also loved the many beautiful vacations with her children.

Betty lived a long, hardworking, loving and fulfilled life. She always cared for others.  Her lifetime of service and love will not be forgotten. Oh, that we could follow her example as she followed the LORD'S.

She is preceded in death by her husband Duwayne Poppen, a son Boyd Poppen, a daughter-in-law Jody Larsen, great-grandchildren Laura Betty and Ester Joan Poppen, Joshua Alexander, Emma Benally, sisters Lois Schuelke, Corrine Hayden, Donna Seymour, brothers Sammy Whitford, Merle Whitford, Myron Whitford, and Jesse Whitford.

Betty was loved and respected by so very many-From children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, special friends, nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

Betty wanted everyone to know about JESUS. She never claimed to be perfect but was a humble giant to those around her. She put her trust in JESUS CHRIST in 1949, and shared, 'THE GRAVE IS NOT THE END! The great hope we have is JESUS gives life…eternal life!' She will be missed but know she's waiting for us.

Furness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements with an online registry available at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.