Betty Dunn, one of Lead's most cherished, long-time residents died peacefully with family at her side on Wednesday, April 29, 2015.

Having suffered a major stroke in May 2013, Betty exhibited determination, spunk and grace to family, friends and caregivers during the past two years.

A farm girl from "East River", Betty quickly grew to love the Black Hills when she moved to Sturgis in October 1954 to start her nursing career as a registered nurse at the Ft. Meade VA Hospital where she worked for 18 months. In 1955, she met and married her partner for life, Jim Dunn, and moved to Lead. Betty was employed as a nurse at Homestake Hospital and Clinic from 1956 to 1982, and then at Black Hills Medical Center from 1982 – 1993, when she retired. During her nursing years, she cared for multi-generations of Homestake employees and their families, and gave thousands of allergy shots – many from the Dunn family living room. "Betty Dunn" (as she was known by all) delivered care with compassion, efficiency, and a sense of humor that endeared her to patients and co-workers alike.

In addition to her nursing career, Betty was active in many Lead community events and service organizations. St. Patrick's Altar Society, PEO, Beta Sigma Phi, the Capital Wives (during Jim's tenure in the South Dakota State Senate), the "Golden Girls", and perhaps her favorite, the Lead Beautification Committee, were all beneficiaries of her interest, talent and friendship. Betty's boundless energy and creativity extended into numerous crafts, including all kinds of sewing projects, quilting, wood-working, upholstery, wood-carving, ceramics, tole painting, canning, and the always-in-demand crabapple jelly. Betty made her debut theatre performance in the Music Man at the Homestake Opera House in May 2009. She and Jim were cast as the stoic 'couple from Iowa', costumed identical to the well-known painting, "American Gothic". Her participation in each activity greatly enriched the community, and the lives of those she touched. Always quick with a laugh and smile, Betty brightened any room, event or activity in which she was involved.

Betty was the third eldest of five children born to Eugene and Emma (Staebell) Lanham in Monroe, SD, on September 20, 1932. The lessons learned growing up on a small family farm stayed with her throughout marriage, parenthood and career – a strong work ethic, kindness, humor, service to others and a strong Catholic faith. Betty's children were always amazed that a horse named May was one of her childhood pets, and that she drove a Model A to high school in Beresford, SD. After high school, Betty attended Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD before enrolling in the diploma Nursing Program at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Betty is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Jim, of Lead (and now in the Dorsett Home in Spearfish), and four children and their spouses, Sue (Alec Tsoucatos) Dunn, Tom (Sharon) Dunn, Mary Beth (Dennis) Mallow, Kathy (Lew) Forti. She was a loving grandmother to Jennifer (Jeremie) Young, Kaitlin Mallow, Laura Mallow, Kristina Burley, Brian Forti, Nick Kolchev, Larisa Kolchev, Sara (Craig) Hendrick, Sam Forti, and great-grandmother to Melanie and Nicholas Hendrick and Kieva Gutievvez. Other survivors include siblings, Art Lanham of Aberdeen, Gerry (Dee) Lanham of Ankeny, IA and Rose McGuire of Sioux Falls and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, James Mallow, grandson Thomas
Burley, and sister Rita Hubert.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 6 from 5:00 – 7:00pm at St Patrick Catholic Church in Lead followed by the Vigil at 7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 7 at the church with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials have been established to benefit St. Patrick's Altar Society, the Homestake Opera House Society, and the Lead Beautification Committee (c/o City of Lead).

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service. Online condolences may be sent to www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com .