PIERRE, SD – Betty Norman,94, of Pierre died on Tuesday, April 30 at Edgewood Living in Pierre.

Elizabeth “Betty” Blanche Riggle was born on November 9, 1929, in Griffith, Indiana, to George and Sylvia (Dick) Riggle. When she was a teenager she moved to Pierre, South Dakota, to live with her sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Fritz Forney. Upon graduating from Pierre High School, Betty obtained her teaching certificate from Northern State Teachers College.

After graduating from Northern, Betty married Leonard Warne. Leonard and Betty had five children; Cindy, Monte, Mona, Susan and Karen. Betty was a devoted wife and mother, working tirelessly on the couple’s family farm, raising her beloved children. She sewed beautiful clothes for her daughters and was an accomplished knitter. Betty rarely missed an event her children were involved in, whether it be sports or school concerts, etc.

Betty was the original “health nut” long before it was a popular trend. She was adamant about making sure her kids had a healthy upbringing, which meant they were “deprived” of any processed, sugar-coated, preservative-infused food. Every year she raised a huge garden and froze or canned her harvest. She even had a wheat grinder on the kitchen counter so she could grind the wheat to make the flour to make the bread. Although her children didn’t realize it at the time, Betty knew the importance of eating clean, wholesome food. Thanks, Mom!!

Betty married Gaylord Norman in 1992. From this marriage she became stepmother to Mike, Mork, Zay, Jill and Marty. Betty and Gaylord shared many happy years together. Among other things, they enjoyed family get-togethers, playing cards with friends and traveling in their motorhome. Betty and Gaylord especially enjoyed dancing. It was a beautiful sight to watch them effortlessly floating across a dance floor, never missing a beat.

Grateful for being a part of Betty’s life are her husband Gaylord, children Cindy (Dave) Bisbee, Monte (Pam) Warne, Mona Weiger, Sue (Roger) Hodge, Karen Warne, grandchildren Derek Droz, Amanda (Shawn) Johnson, Tyler Warne, Madison (Clayton) Dowdy, Kyle (Kelcy) Weiger, and Gaylord’s entire Norman family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by granddaughter Katie (Warne) Lindsey, grandson Lucas (Sue Hodge) Billingsley, and stepson Zay Norman.

Per Betty’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

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