Betty Lou Meyer

Betty Lou Meyer


Dates

August 4, 1934 - January 11, 2022

Obituary

Betty Lou Meyer, 87, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Tripp, SD, passed away Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at Sanford Hospice Centennial Cottage in Sioux Falls. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Parkston Congregational Church, 209 W Teek Street, Parkston, SD, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall following the service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Amid the Dirty Thirties and the Great Depression, Betty Lou Cora (Fischer) Meyer entered the world on August 4, 1934, at her family’s farm near Tripp. A child with rosy cheeks and a pleasant disposition, she was the twelfth born to Christina (Frey) and Christian Fischer. She was baptized at their rural church and years later confirmed at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Tripp.

Betty Lou’s thirst for learning began in a one-room country school until age 12 when her father passed away and she, her mother, and brother moved to a small home in Tripp.

As the youngest of 12, Betty Lou was doted upon by her siblings, especially several of her sisters who had moved to California to work with the war effort during World War II. They would return home with gifts for their sweet little sister, Betty Lou.

While a student at Tripp High School, she played trumpet in the band, cheered on the Wildcats, and honed her public speaking in both Declam and the high school’s plays. After graduating in 1952, she contracted polio at the peak of the epidemic and spent two months in the hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.

Resilient by nature, Betty Lou learned to live with the residual side effects of polio and returned to Tripp to keep the books at the Tripp Coop Creamery. The high-quality butter attracted many, including Gilbert Meyer, the creamery route driver, who was quickly smitten by Betty Lou. The two married on October 11, 1953, and together they farmed northeast of Tripp raising crops, livestock, and four children: Deborah, David, Jacqueline, and James. They were a busy family participating in school, church, and decades of 4-H activities.

Betty Lou was hands-on in the daily chores and decision-making of operating the farm. She milked cows by hand, cleaned hundreds of chickens, canned produce from her garden, and maintained production records for their cow/calf herd. While farming certainly tested Betty Lou and Gilbert, together they learned to be creative and resourceful. One of her favorite sayings was “Eat it up, wear it out, make do, or go without.”

Giving back was also a passion of Betty Lou’s. She volunteered by judging 4-H projects and record books, judging Declam contests, taught Sunday School at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Tripp and participated in her beloved Women’s Guild at Frieden’s Reformed Church in Tripp. She was a gifted writer and penned countless personal notes to family and friends, sharing her thoughtful, witty, and optimistic words. If someone needed a pick-me-up, she was quick to whip up a batch of homemade treats to brighten their day. Betty Lou loved the holidays, especially Christmas and found great joy in decking her halls from top to bottom. Her home was always festive, warm, and welcoming.

Betty Lou enjoyed baking German Kuchen and especially the family favorite, Nut Pudding, a special family recipe that was introduced to the Fischer Family when her oldest sister, Hattie, was married in 1932. Nut Pudding became a staple at every family gathering and holiday.

Betty Lou loved her role as a grandmother and easily connected with each grandchild in a special way, celebrating their unique personalities. She modeled life-long learning and was an avid reader, sharing her love of books with both her children and grandchildren.

In addition, she had a special relationship with her Fischer nieces and nephews. As the last living sibling of that generation, they lovingly referred to her as ABL - Aunt Betty Lou.

In 2006, Betty Lou and Gilbert sold their farm and moved to Parkston. Upon his passing in 2007, Betty remained in Parkston until 2017 when she moved to Trail Ridge Retirement Community in Sioux Falls. She quickly befriended fellow residents and the many caretakers there. Her warm infectious smile and sincere, genuine personality will be missed.

She is survived by her four children and their families:

Deborah (Darry) Pearson, Phoenix, AZ; and daughter, Paige (John) Pearson Meyer, granddaughters, Margot Lou and Liv Monroe Meyer, Sioux Falls, SD; David (Nancy) Meyer, Elkhorn, NE; and children; Stacy (Matt) Kroeger, granddaughters Meyer Kate and Micah Roe Kroeger, North Bend, NE; Cody (Amanda) Meyer, granddaughters Landrie Ann and Avery Claire Meyer, Blair, NE; and Christopher Meyer, Costa Mesa, CA; Jacqueline (James) Wentworth, Sioux Falls, SD; and daughters; Anne Wentworth, New York, NY; and Tess (Joel) Thompson, New York, NY; James (Lisa) Meyer and daughter, Kendall Meyer, Lake Barrington, IL. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Violet Heinz, Roanoke, IL, and Paulette Fischer, Sioux Falls, SD, and many nieces and nephews.

Betty Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert, her parents, and 11 siblings: Hattie Schneider, Elda Hille, Vera Schmoll, Ervin Fischer, Magnus Fischer, Delores Cottrell, Ida Brady, Edward Fischer, L.E. “Shorty” Fischer, Willis Fischer (infant), and Arnold Fischer.



Service

Date
Saturday, April 9, 2022
Time
10:30 AM
Location
Parkston Congregational Church
209 W Teek Street
Parkston, SD

Cemetery

Graceland Cemetery
Mitchell, SD


Posted by Elwin & Rosalie Hohn on January 25, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and we extend our deepest sympathy to you.
Posted by Candice Brosz Bijnagte on January 21, 2022
Who is going to do all the work Betty did? Kuchen, chickens,so many things Betty accomplished!
Posted by Shari Dietz Brosz on January 20, 2022
Betty was such a beautiful lady inside and out! Her daughter Deborah and I have been great friends since high school. Spending time at their farm was always a fun time! Love and prayers to the family.
Posted by Betty/Maynard Hieb on January 20, 2022
Betty Lou was indeed a very special lady. We shared our Betty Lou name and she often commented on that as we attended our children’s events. Memories are wonderful in times of sorrow., she will be missed..
Posted by Belva (Heinrich) Mikuska on January 20, 2022
Betty and I worked at the Tripp Creamery for many years together.
Posted by Belva (Heinrich) Mikuska on January 20, 2022
So sorry of hearing of a very super sweet Classmate.Your Mom and I were not only classmates but worked together at the Tripp Creamery for many years.
May God bless you all.
Posted by Paulette Fischer on January 19, 2022
When I married into the Fischer family, Betty Lou was among the first to welcome me and my children with open arms. She treated me more like a “sister” than a sister-in-law. Although born the youngest of Christian and Christina Fischer’s children, with the passing of time, she became the beloved family matriarch and historian for three generations of the Fischer family. She was the epitome of the wit, wisdom, warmth, work ethics, values and character of the Fischer Family. My children and I thank you for your unconditional love and beautiful memories, Betty Lou. Rest In Peace!
Posted by Kristie Gall on January 18, 2022
Betty was a great Lady. I loved visiting with her. Prayers and condolences to her Family.
Posted by Leo Semmler on January 18, 2022
So sorry for your loss. She was such a nice lady and always treated me so well. I have many fond memories looking across the creek and seeing her or Gilbert or one of you kids walking across your yard. There are so many memories and stories between your folks and mine. All the jokes and laughter, all the visits, all the neighborhood work crews and the school events at Baltzer #43. Those WERE the days!
Posted by John & Susan Goeken family on January 17, 2022
Sorry to hear about your mom Our condolences to you and your family. Have great memories of your mom and dad.in the cattle business. Wonderful people will miss her beautiful smile and kind words. Hugs & Prayers for the Meyer Family.
Posted by Becky Parker on January 16, 2022
One fine lady! She brightened my days at Trail Ridge with her wit and humor. Heaven gained a beautiful soul!
Posted by Mary von Holt on January 15, 2022
Betty truly was a blessing to all of us,she was always so cheerful so smiley and so loving, We always had to do three kisses with an I love you at the end I will miss you my love
Posted by Virginia Matlock on January 14, 2022
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a special lady-I always loved visiting with her! So sweet!



So Is sorry to hear of your mom’s passing! She was special to me!
Posted by Brenda Polreis on January 14, 2022
Sorry to hear of your loss
Posted by Sandra Kay Stoebner on January 14, 2022
Betty was such a sweet lady. Always so considerate . Gilbert was a neighbor just across the creek when I grew up. Betty will be well remembered by all .
Posted by Patricia on January 14, 2022
Our deepest sympathy to her family she was more than a relative many good times together may she Rest In Peace she ran the race finished the course
Posted by Marlys K. Hoff on January 14, 2022
My Sympathy to the family of Betty Lou. God Bless
Posted by Priscilla Bragg on January 13, 2022
I just loved Betty Lou! We sang together every day as I delivered mail and papers. Such a sweet soul, I am honored to have met her.
Posted by Sarah Maag on January 13, 2022
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Betty. I always enjoyed visiting with both her and Gilbert at cattle shows.
Posted by Karen/Glenn Schneider on January 12, 2022
Our love and condolences to Betty’s family and loved ones. We cherish so many wonderful memories of times spent with this special lady ♥️
Posted by Jan Weisser on January 12, 2022
I'm sorry to hear about your Mother. I always enjoyed visiting with her. She was a sweet Lady.
Posted by Janelle Bischoff on January 12, 2022
Hugs and prayers for Betty Lou's family.
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