Memorial services for Betty Swanson, 88 of Selby, formerly of Mobridge, SD will be held on Sept. 18, 2026 at 10:30 am at Kesling Funeral Chapel, Mobridge. Inurnment will follow the services at Greenwood Cemetery, Mobridge. 

Betty Jane Swanson (Ritter), 88, of Mobridge, SD, passed away at the Walworth County Care Center in Selby, SD on September 7, 2026. She was born in Mound City, SD on August 10, 1938, to David and Katie Ritter (Deibert). She grew up tough being the youngest and having four older brothers. Betty graduated high school in 1956, and married Bernole Swanson on June 2, 1957. She started her family in Mobridge, and later moved to Gillette, WY in 1979. Returning to Mobridge in the fall of 1990. She enjoyed many careers including running the VFW/Eagles Club, Jacob’s Ranch Mine, Mobridge Livestock, The Connection, and ownership of Dakota Star Inn in Mobridge.

Betty enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, canning pickles, peaches, keeping a large garden, and several years of keeping lambs on her five acres. She was always busy, and she could keep the kids busy, even letting little Buddy climb into the laundry machine at the hotel and pass clothes out to her. If she wasn’t working, she was visiting someone who needed an extra hand. Betty spent time with her granddaughters, taking them on trips to Storybook Land. She always kept toys and extra beds at the ready. Whenever you needed someone to listen to you, she was there.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and brothers: (Alvin, Marvin, Herbert, Harlan), husband Bernole, son Beri, and is survived by her son Bernole (Bernie), daughter Bonita, and grandchildren Krystal, Melissa, Bernole (Buddy) and Dominick.