Betty J. Gallagher
Betty J Gallagher, 87, of Sioux Falls, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Ponderosa Lodge Senior Living.
Betty was born on August 21, 1938, in Gary, SD. She was the daughter of Harley and Anna Grotjohon and sister to Elaine, Iola, Leslie, Shirley, Darrell, and Roger. She received her education in Canby, MN, and graduated from Canby High School. Betty loved telling stories about her life on the farm and loved helping her dad in the fields.
On March 25, 1960, Betty married William Gallagher at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. They shared 64 years of marriage, and this marriage was blessed with four children: William H, Cindy (Dyer) Terry, and Jill (Patterson).
Betty was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She was employed off and on at McDonald's while her kids were in school. After McDonald's, Betty enjoyed babysitting in her home. Betty enjoyed sewing and was proud to have made the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses for her oldest daughter's wedding. She also enjoyed making quilts and creating unique patterns. Betty volunteered at Sanford Hospital in the gift shop and later made Christmas stockings for the babies and made countless COVID masks. She enjoyed delivering the stockings and seeing the babies. Betty was a member of First Lutheran Church.
Betty enjoyed going to Twins games, dancing, and most importantly, spending time with her family. She adored her granddaughter, Katelyn, and grandson, Cory, and was thrilled to be great-grandmother to Porter. In recent years, Betty found Heartland on Netflix to bring her joy and keep her company. It is estimated that she watched all 16 seasons more than 200 times over the past 6 years.
Betty is survived by her children, son William of Sioux Falls, daughter Cindy and her husband Jim of Sioux Falls, son Terry and his wife Angie of Johnston, IA, daughter Jill and her husband David of Sioux Falls, grandchildren Katelyn Gallagher and Cory Dyer and his wife Kristen, and great-grandson Porter Dyer of Sioux Falls, brother Roger Grotjohn and his wife Mary Beth of Apple Valley, MN as well as many other relatives and friends.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, and siblings.
The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice and the caring staff at Ponderosa for their help and kind hearts in caring for Betty. She truly enjoyed visiting with each of you.
Services will be held Wednesday, July 29,2026 at 11:00 AM at Heritage Funeral Home, 4800 S Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls SD. Visitation will be held an hour before the service. A reception will be held immediately after the service. A private burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery is planned.
Please dress comfortably for the weather.