Betty Betlach, 91, of Brookings, formerly of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview.  There will be no local services, with a private family service planned for a future date.  Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the Betlach family with arrangements.  Instructions on sending memorial donations and condolences may be found at the bottom of this obituary.

Betty Jane Betlach was born on May 26, 1931, to Leonard and Blanche Rose (Pechacek) Conklin in Newry Township, Freeborn County, Minnesota.  Throughout her youth, Betty's family farmed various farms throughout Mower, Freeborn, and Steele counties in Minnesota.  She attended country schools, completing her education in Minnesota.  In 1948, while attending a dance in Blooming Prairie, Betty met her future husband, Dale Betlach, and the couple were married on August 20, 1949, in Trout Lake, Washington.  Dale and Betty continued dancing together for over 72 years.  Dale passed away on November 16, 2021.

Throughout a majority of their marriage, Dale and Betty lived on the Betlach family farm, a centennial farm located in Blooming Prairie.  Betty was a wonderful partner to Dale, never shying away from assisting with farming chores and aiding in the overall success of the farm for nearly 70 years.  Dale and Betty farmed the land there until they moved to Brookings following health issues in 2020.

Dale and Betty were well known throughout the Blooming Prairie area for their farmer's market fresh produce.   Betty was an excellent cook who created simple but delicious meals.  She baked hundreds, maybe thousands of batches of cookie and bars, loaves of bread and apple pies and her specialty- "buchty".  Besides making these treats for her family, she shared these baked goods as a way to reach out to a friend or stranger to show appreciation for work done or a service provided. A life-long interest, polka dancing was a highlight of Dale and Betty's lives, with the couple often traveling to neighboring towns to visit different dance halls.  When they were no longer physically able to dance, they would watch polka dancing on TV, sharing in many memories and tapping their feet to the beat.  Betty will be remembered as an exceptional wife, mother, and friend.

Betty is survived by her sons: Douglas (Sandra) of Mount Dora, FL, and Larry (Melanie) Betlach, of Brookings, SD; four grandchildren: Libby Minter, of Bismarck, ND, Alex Betlach, of Brookings, SD, Kilian (Macy Parker) Betlach, of Oakland, CA, and Matthew (Kirsten) Betlach, of San Antonio, TX; seven great-grandchildren; her brother, Leonard (Lori) Conklin and her sister, Ruth Ann (Robert) Burns, both of Ridgefield, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her infant brother Gordon; and her sisters Bonita and Margie.

At this time, the Betlach family requests that family and friends send no flowers, but instead urge that memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice.

Betty's family would also like to extend a special note of gratitude to the exceptional staff of The Neighborhoods at Brookview for the care that Betty and their family received during her time with them.

Condolences may be sent to:
The Family of Betty Betlach
2015 Olwien Street
Brookings, South Dakota