Elizabeth L. (Betty) Varland, 83, of Newell, died Wednesday at the Belle Fourche Senior Care Center.

Visitation will be 8 am to 9 pm on Monday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with the family present from 7 pm until 9 pm. Visitation will resume on Tuesday one hour prior to services at the church in Newell.

She was born March 15, 1924, at Hoover, SD, the daughter of Joseph and Estella (Lale) Lyons. Betty grew up on her folk's prairie ranch with her brother Tom and sister Rena. She attended Butte County rural schools until 1939 when she moved into Newell to attend high school. After graduating in 1942, Betty worked at Ann Knutson's bowling alley and, with her parents, started Betty's Cafe which they operated during the World War II years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Tom and sister Rena. She married Floyd Varland on Dec. 26, 1945, and they lived their life together in Newell. Floyd died in 1982.

Survivors include two daughters, Gaylene (David) Morell of Union Center, Betty Jo (Cliff) Melchert of Gillette and a son Ron (Nita) of Lima, Ohio. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Keith (Stacie) Morell of Union Center; Vikki (Mark) Hamling of Rapid City, Alison Varland of Columbus, Ohio, and John Varland of Lima Ohio. Three great grandchildren also survive, including Katie Remington, David Morell and Patrick Hamling. She also is survived by sister-in-law Donna Lyons, several aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends.

Betty retired as dietician at Newell schools in 1994, and joked that she had more than half her life in the school after four years of high school and 35 years in the cafeteria.

Services will be held at First Lutheran Church, Newell, beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Sturgis. A memorial is established at First Lutheran Church, Newell. Betty lived a blameless life and will be deeply missed.