Bette J. Nelsen

Bette J. Nelsen, age 95, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Monday, January 20, 2025, at Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton.

Funeral services will be 2:30 PM on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota, with Reverend Jacob Bobby officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral on Monday at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton. 

Bette J. Nelsen was born June 17, 1929, in Gayville, South Dakota to Ed and Minnie (Peterson) Larson. She grew up and attended school in Gayville. She married Nels Nelsen on June 1, 1946 and moved to Oakland, California while Nels was in the service. They then moved to Melrose Park, Illinois for a short time and then moved to Volin, South Dakota. Bette worked at Gurney’s Seed and Nursery in Yankton and commuted from Volin. They moved to Yankton in 1973. Bette continued to work at Gurney’s for twenty-five years, retiring in 1989. Bette was a resident since 2014 at Yankton Care Center and later Sister James Care Center.

Bette was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where she was very active in many different groups and was also a member of the Lewis & Clark Camping Club in Yankton. She enjoyed camping, crocheting, baking, and attending dances listening to Nels play in the band. She loved visiting with people, flowers and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Survivors include her son, Dennis (Connie) Nelsen of Vermillion, South Dakota; two grandchildren: Stacey Vasquez of Las Vegas, Nevada and Courtney (Carson) Merkwan of Vermillion; four great grandchildren: Edison Vasquez and Gary, Blair, and Grant Merkwan; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Nels; son, Doug; grandson, Jeremy; and four sisters: Shirley, Frances, Millie and Ilene.