It is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to our mother, Betty McMacken Schweitzer.
Betty McMacken was born – along with her twin sister Bonnie – on July 5, 1943 in Mobridge, SD, to Francis and Bertha McMacken. They joined 3 older sisters, Merriel, Ellen and Faye as well as 3 brothers Bob, Marvin and Joe and attended Timber Lake school until graduation in 1961. She married Dean Schweitzer just days after turning 18. Betty was embraced by her new family as well as her new community of Glencross. Betty and Dean divorced in 1981.
After years of struggling with health issues, Betty was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. In The spring of 1984, her sister Bonnie donated one of hers. This was more than an act of kindness, it was life altering for her family. Had Bonnie not given this gift, her family wouldn’t have had the last 41 years with her and likely, her grandchildren would have never known her. We are forever grateful for what was surely an extremely difficult decision.
In 1988, Betty moved to the Rapid City area. She worked there for several years and bought a home. She was so proud to have done it on her own. However, during that time, ‘home’ was always what she longed for. After 9 years, she returned to Timber Lake and opened a day care where she filled a need for the community. For years she took care of children who, even after they had grown, always had a warm greeting or a hug when she saw them on the street. Many of these families continued to send birthday and holiday cards long after she retired. Betty loved her community fiercely.
Baking was a passion for Betty. If you were lucky enough to have one of her caramel rolls on a Sunday after church, you never forgot it and longed for more. Mention rhubarb in the spring and her eyes lit up; she loved anything made with rhubarb. She just loved to bake.
And then, there was Farkle. That game was played thousands of times at the counter in her kitchen. She never turned down a game. Friends stopped by, not to chat but to play Farkle. And NEVER just one game, you had to play 2. If you each won a game, you had to play a tie breaker. This is where you learned how competitive she was and what a sense of humor she had.
Betty was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. She spent her life devoted to her family, friends, neighbors and the many children that she nurtured and loved in her day care. She knew everyone in the community and loved to cheer on the local sports teams even after her children and grandchildren were no longer playing on the courts and fields.
Betty is survived by her three children Faron (Marilyn) of Glencross – and let’s be honest, Marilyn was as much one of her children as were the ones she gave birth to; Gayla (John) of Perry Hall, MD; and Smoke (Rachael) of Shingle Springs, CA; 9 Grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, brother, Marvin (Connie) McMacken of Piedmont, SD, sisters, Ellen Wilhelm of Mesa, AZ, Bonnie Yuker of Glencross, sister-in-law, Connie McMacken of Sioux Falls, SD, and brother-in-law Paul Stradinger. She is also survived by the many, many friends that made her life so full.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Bertha McMacken, her brothers Bob and Joe and sisters Merriel and Faye.
Mass of Christian Burial for Betty Ann Schweitzer, 81, of Timber Lake, who passed away June 14, 2025, was held at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial was at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Glencross.
The family wishes to thank the many medical professionals who contributed to her care. We are grateful for their prayers and concerns extended on mom’s behalf during this time.
