Betty Ann Johnson of Hill City, SD passed away comfortably at home with her daughter Jessie by her side on August 29th, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. due to a short battle with stage four cancer.

Betty was born November 13, 1947 in Kadoka, SD to Ervin O'Neill and Lavina (Aske) O'Neill.  She attended grade school in Philip, SD and later moved to Box Elder, SD where she attended in the Douglas School District.  At age 16 a classmate, Rita (Johnson) Colvin became a match maker exchanging pictures and that was when Betty met her life partner Richard Johnson.  They married December 21st, 1968.  April 21st, 1969 they welcomed their daughter Jessie Lynn Johnson.  Betty started work at CP Claire October 1969 the company changed names over the years ending with the name SCI were she worked for 38 years before retiring.  The company had a news magazine where they gave her recognition for being the longest serving employee. After retirement she worked a few odd jobs along the way.

She enjoyed listening to her husband's band play in her younger years. They also went hunting and fishing together. She enjoyed visiting and having a few beers with her large family. She and her husband traveled around to visit their daughter Jessie and grandchildren; Dawn, Derek and Dean as they moved around with the military. Her daughter and grandkids moved back home in 2012 and they spent most days together. After her husband passed in 2015, she went back to work driving for Lyft. In her spare time she loved farkle, yard sales and playing BINGO with her daughter and sisters, and traveling to see her granddaughter Dawn and great-grandson Atticus.

Those left to mourn her passing are; her daughter Jessie Lichterman, grandkids; Dawn, Derek and Dean Lichterman, great-grandson Atticus, sisters; Peggy, Nancy, Judy, Darlene, Janet, Lyndee, and Patsy, brothers; Harold and Larry as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Johnson, parents Ervin and Lavina O'Neill; sister Claira and brother, Robert.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on September 19th, 2026 at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis, SD for prayer and burial. A lunch will follow at the Moose Lodge at 841 E. St. Patrick St. in Rapid City from Noon to 4:00 p.m.