Betty Vander Vorst, 94, of Pollock, SD, died April 18, 2024 at the Strasburg Care Center. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 10:30 am at Pollock Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pollock. Visitation will be held Friday, April 26, 2024 from 6-7 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at Pollock Memorial Presbyterian Church. Burial will be held at Spring Valley Cemetery, Pollock. A recording of Betty's funeral service will be available on the funeral home website.

Betty Lou Martin was born on August 3, 1929 to Gottlieb Samuel Martin and Frieda (Schmidt) Martin in Mound City, South Dakota.  Betty was the first born of 13 children.  She grew up on a farm near Mound City.  She attended grade school in Mound City and high school in Herreid and graduated from Herreid High School in 1947.

Betty met Wilfred Vander Vorst in the fall of 1946 at a dance in Hague, North Dakota.  They started dating and Wilfred, the youngest of three children, was introduced to the large family of Martins.  They married the next fall on November 28, 1947. Wilfred and Betty moved to Wilfred's family farm in Emmons County near Westfield, N.D where they lived for 30 years.  They were blessed with four children, two boys and two girls.  Betty was very involved in the Hope Reformed Church in Westfield.  For years, she was the first grade sunday school teacher.  She was also active in the various women's groups and was always ready to help. In 1978, Betty and Wilfred moved into Pollock, South Dakota. While living in Pollock, Betty was always busy with various jobs.  She loved to be active and on the go.  She worked at Borr's Store, Quellhorst Variety, The Good Samaritan Center in Herreid, and finally at the hardware store. Betty was active in the Pollock Presbyterian Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Birthday Club and  Extension Club. In December of 1989, Betty lost the love of her life when Wilfred passed away suddenly.

Betty loved to travel and would spend time with her daughter (Jeanne) and family in Arizona, and had some wonderful trips with her sisters to Alaska, Washington, New York, and Germany.

Her friends and neighbors were always very important to her. She spent many hours visiting, having coffee, playing cards, and enjoying a good laugh. Betty was well known for her sense of humor.  Not a Halloween or April Fools Day went by where she didn't pull some type of prank. She loved her yard and was very proud of her beautiful lawn and flowers. Betty could be found early in the morning outside watering, weeding, and working in her yard.  Her church and her faith were of utmost importance to her.  She loved the Lord and was a faithful servant.

She was especially proud of her large family. Betty loved spending time with all of her brothers, sisters, and relatives and their families. Nothing made her happier than having company and getting a good game of pinochle started. Betty's home was always open and no one ever left hungry. She especially enjoyed baking and made countless kuchen and pies.

Betty remained in her home in Pollock until April of 2018 when she moved to an apartment and then to the Herreid Good Samaritan Center that fall.  In 2019, Betty moved to the Strasburg Care Center where she remained until her death.

Betty is survived by her four children; Kenneth (Georgia) Vander Vorst of Pollock, SD, Terry (Linda) Vander Vorst of Pollock, SD, Peggy (Jeff) Meyer of Miller, SD, and Jeanne (Gary) Askvig of Brentwood, TN. She is also survived by grandchildren Lance (Kaye) Vander Vorst, Stephanie (Shane) Rustin, Trenton (Christie) Vander Vorst, Grant (Terri) Vander Vorst, Tyler Vander Vorst, Amy (Max) Werdel, Jill Meyer, Kaitlin (Cory) Lingerfelt, and Braden (Laura) Askvig, 14 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Betty is survived by siblings; James (Linda) Martin, Duane (Judy) Martin, Bonita Quenzer, Larry (Judy) Martin, Jerry (Kitty) Martin, Davis (Wanda) Martin, Tom (Jean) Martin, Jackie Hansen, and Steve (Sherri) Martin. Betty also leaves so many wonderful nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wilfred, her parents, and her parents-in-law.  She was also preceded in death by siblings and in-laws; Shirlene and Jack Starkey, Maynard and Claire Martin, Carol and George Fellows, Mary Ann Martin, Jerry Quenzer, Jacob and Bessie Fuhrer, and Oliver and Martha Vander Vorst.