DE SMET — Bette Jean Wilkinson, 92, passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Home in De Smet November 29, 2017.
A funeral service is scheduled at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 4, at the American Lutheran Church in DeSmet with Pastor Randy Koeller officiating. Burial will follow in De Smet Cemetery. Visitation hours are 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday at Osthus Funeral Home in De Smet.
Bette Jean Wilkinson was born January 29, 1925, to Helmer and Berdine Halvorson at Tracy, Minn. She graduated from Lennox High School in 1943, and entered Sioux Valley Nursing School in 1946. On December 26, 1947, Bette married Ellsworth F. “Wilkie” Wilkinson. To this union, four children were born, Barbara (Robert) Satter, William (Mary Lynn) Wilkinson, Edward (Sally) Wilkinson, and Todd (Jean) Wilkinson.
Bette worked as a registered nurse for many years at De Smet Memorial Hospital, raised her family, and later began working at Wilkinson & Wilkinson Law Firm, where she retired at the age of 78, because of macular degeneration.
Bette was a faithful member of American Lutheran Church of De Smet, the Eastern Star, and the De Smet American Legion Auxilliary. She loved to be outdoors gardening, golfing, hunting pheasants, spending time at her lake cabin, and doing yardwork.  She was a dedicated De Smet Bulldog fan and Augustana Viking fan, and she followed the Minnesota Vikings and Twins.
But her greatest love was her family. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities and birthday parties.  
She is survived by her four children, Barbara (Robert) Satter of Irene, William (Mary Lynn) Wilkinson of De Smet, Edward (Sally) Wilkinson of Erwin, and Todd (Jean) Wilkinson of De Smet; thirteen grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; her sister, Mary Ann (Joel) Prince, Knoxville Tenn.; her sisters-in-law, Doris Halvorson of El Dorado Hills, Calif., and Evelyn Wilkinson of Sioux Falls;  and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ellsworth; and her brothers, Helmer Jr. “Butch” and Donald.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Good Samaritan Home in De Smet, and Compassionate Care Hospice for the wonderful care given to Bette.
Visit www.osthusfuneral.com
Paid Obituary