Betty Jean (Heston) McDermott, who was 94 years old, passed away while surrounded by family at the Brookside Assisted Living, Apache Junction, AZ, on August 5, 2023. She will be missed.

Betty was born in the Newell Hospital on July 9, 1929, to Willis "Cody" Heston and Clara (Walter) Heston. She was the youngest of six (6) siblings. Betty was brought home to the Ranch that Cody & Clara Homesteaded for years.

Betty enjoyed living on the plains of western South Dakota. She helped her mother with gardening, canning vegetables and fruit for the winter. Her mother taught her how to sew and Betty used that talent to make most of her clothes. She was an avid reader and enjoyed school. Many times, Betty rode her bicycle a mile and a half to the Heston School where she attended grades 1-8.

Betty Jean went to high school at Newell, and Sturgis High Schools. She was a member of band playing the bells and enjoyed Home Economics. Betty made lifelong friends in high school. The summer after high school she went to Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish, SD, to gain her Teaching Certificate. In the fall, she taught at Trail Creek School in Meade County.

Betty loved going to country dances! This is where shy Betty met the wild IRISHMAN from Mud Butte, Tom McDermont. They danced up a storm and married on St. Patrick's Day ,1947. To this union, four children were born, Velvalie, Jack, Mick, and Jery. She also worked outside of the home as a bookkeeper for Peter Keywit, Johnson Trucking, Production Credit, and Fort Meade Accounting. Betty had her hands full!

Bety attended the Sturgis Methodist Church and participated in many activities. She especially liked working at the Mother-Daughter Banquets each year.

Betty Jean's survivors include her husband of seventy-seven years, Tom McDermott; and daughter, Velvalie (Bill) Goeringer; sons, Mick McDermott, and Jerry (Deborah) McDermott; and daughter-in-law, Connie McDermott Hawley. Additionally, eight grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren were left behind.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cody & Clara Heston, and her five siblings, Alfred Heston, Margorie Orwick, Lloyd Heston, Gordon Heston, and Joesphine Jones. Additionally, she was preceded in death by her son, Jack McDermott, and granddaughter, Penny Bristol.

Celebration of Betty's life will be at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 109 Howard St., Sturgis, SD 57785, on Friday July 19th, 2024, at 10am.

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