Betty Jean Hagen, 95, formerly of Sisseton, SD, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, May 15, 2017.  She died peacefully surrounded by her family.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 22, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. at Good Samaritan Village Chapel at 3901 S Marion Rd in Sioux Falls, SD, 57106.

Betty was born May 19, 1921, in Peever, SD, to Oscar and Helen (Richards) Hegna.  She attended and graduated from Peever High School. In 1941 Betty married the love of her life, Edwin Hagen Jr. The couple were members of Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton. They made their home in Sisseton and raised two daughters, Caralee and Cathy.

Betty attended Northern State University and graduated from the University of Minnesota. Her teaching career began in a country school.  She touched many lives over her 33 year teaching career in Sisseton.  Her husband Edwin, died in 2007 just prior to celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary. After moving to Sioux Falls, she made many new friends but also kept in contact with her dear friends and students in Sisseton.

Betty enjoyed reading, gardening, traveling, and playing bridge.  She continued to play bridge into her nineties.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.  Betty loved all animals, particularly her cats Meecie and Patches.

Betty was loved by all who knew her. She often hosted friends and family and would always have homemade bread, brownies and chocolate chip cookies. The coffee pot was always on and the door was always open.

Grateful for having shared her life are her daughters Caralee (Gary) Heitmann of Groton, SD, and Cathy Tunge and husband Steve Kiefer of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Grady (Bobbi) Heitmann, Greg (Angela) Heitmann, Garrett (Sindi) Heitmann, Jackie (Bill) Ferguson, Christie Betsworth, and Caryn (Chris) Hanmer; 14 great grandchildren, Kristen, Kaitlin, Derek, Shayna, Estevan, Catalina, Alejandra, Antonio, Katie, Whitney, Matt, Max, Carys and Chloe; 2 sisters-in-law; and 2 brothers-in-law; special niece Eloise Hortness and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and sister Joyce Hansen.  Illness may have taken her life, but never her spirit.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and true friend. She was one in a million and will be dearly missed.