Betty Jean Bast, 95, of Vermillion, S.D., entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. She was born November 8, 1924, in Sheldon,... Betty Bast

Betty Jean Bast, 95, of Vermillion, S.D., entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
She was born November 8, 1924, in Sheldon, Iowa, to Robert and Anna (Johnson) Fischer. Betty spent most of her childhood in Milbank, S.D., and graduated from Milbank High School in 1943.
At the age of 16 she started work as a telephone switchboard operator for Northwestern Bell, and except for ten months spent in the Cadet Nurse Corps, she worked as an operator until her marriage to Lowell Benjamin Bast on February 14, 1948, in Madison, S.D. They were happily married for 49 years.

Betty became a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vermillion in 1954. Her family, home and friends were her greatest joy.

Betty is survived by her three daughters, Luanne (Roger) Hammerbeck of Hamill, S.D.; Bonnie Shirey of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Lori (Thomas) Dolney of Rapid City, S.D.; seven grandchildren, Brian (Lee) Hammerbeck of Rapid City, Brad (Jennifer) Hammerbeck of Rapid City, Kyle (Sara) Hammerbeck of Hamill, Kory (Megan) Hammerbeck of Rapid City, Lowell (Megan) Dolney of Columbus, Neb., Katie Dolney of Rapid City, and Amy (Jacob) Hix of Sioux Falls; seventeen and a half great grandchildren and one niece, Caron (David) Ellerbush of Sioux Falls, S.D.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, her brother Robert Fischer, her step sister Blanch Eich, her son-in-law Robert Shirey Jr., and her grandson Robert Shirey III.
Private graveside services will be held at Graceland Cemetery in Madison, S.D.

Staff Writer

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