Betty J. McMahon, age 97

Betty Jean (Gist) McMahon was born in December 1927 in Currie, MN. She was the middle child of five born to Samuel and Eva Mae Gist. She graduated from Pipestone High School in 1945 and then completed a bookkeeping certification at Mankato Business School in 1946. Her first job was in Sioux Falls before moving to Pipestone six months later. Betty met Donald McMahon from Flandreau in 1946, and they got married in 1947. They resided in Pipestone for their first five years of marriage. In 1948, their first son, David, was born pre-mature and died. In 1950, they welcomed the birth of their second son, Daniel. In 1952, they moved to Flandreau where they would reside for the next 69 years. Their third son, Ricky, was born in 1957, completing their family. Betty, the eternal optimist and often referred to as the Energizer Bunny, was dedicated in volunteering with the PTA, Band Boosters, Cub Scouts, Relay for Life, the Bread Basket, Moody County Resource Center, Meals on Wheels and the Second Presbyterian Church when she was not working on Flandreaus Main Street at Jimmys Red Owl, Chucks Foodland, and of course, working at the Flandreau City Office as the Deputy Finance Officer until 1997 where she will be best remembered. The Second Presbyterian Church was the cornerstone of Bettys life as she served in various capacities for the better part of 69 years. Betty enjoyed bowling, biking, walking, horse racing, dancing and watching sporting events especially at the Flandreau Park baseball diamonds. Betty was an integral member of Christian Womens, Purple and Red Hat Club, Womens Bowling League, and Birthday Club. Donald and Betty sold their Flandreau home in 2021 and moved to Spotsylvania, Virginia to live with son Ricky and his wife Cary. Betty attended Generations three days a week, an adult day care center operated by Culpeper Virginias Baptist Church, which she told everyone They treat me like a queen. Betty was at Donalds side holding the hand of her beloved husband when he left this world for his eternal resting place in heaven on November 16th, 2021 they had celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary in October 2021. Betty had her first serious health issue in February 2025 and was recuperating at home when she died peacefully March 3, 2025.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Eva Mae Gist, brother Kenneth (and Margaret), sister Doris (and Bernard Veldhuizen and Richard Semple), sister Shirley (and Vincent Evans), son David, and husband, Donald.
Betty is survived by brother Richard (Norma) of Princeton, MN; son Daniel (Linda) of Fernandina Beach, FL, son Ricky (Cary) of Spotsylvania, VA; six grandchildren, Shane (Dorian) of Sunapee, NH, Caitlin (Chris) of Nokesville, VA, Callan (Anna) of Houston, TX, Brenden (Katherine) of Culpeper, VA, Garrett (Patricia) of Alexandria, VA and Neal (Danielle) of Cincinnati, OH; plus nine great grandchildren: Donovan (17), Carrigan (15), Lochlan (11), Remington (7), Wesley (5), Winston (4), Everly (4), Magnolia (4), and Kinley (1). Final resting place will be Union Cemetery, Flandreau, SD.
A memorial celebration of Betty Jean (Gist) McMahons life will be held 3 pm Friday, August 15th at the Second Presbyterian Church in Flandreau with a reception in the Chapel Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.
The photo is Betty on her 95th Birthday in 2022, wearing a tiara and 95 & Fabulous sash.