Bethany, MO: Betty Tanner, 98, a former longtime resident of Missouri, North Dakota, Minnesota & South Dakota, went home to Heaven on March 26th, 2026 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Betty was born at home on May 17th, 1927, in Ridgeway, Mo., to Ina Vay and Jesse Thomas Whisler. She was the middle child of five siblings (three brothers and one sister). She married Edwin Tanner on December 1st, 1946, and remained his loving wife for 56+ years until his death in 2003. She is now joyfully reunited with the love of her life.
Betty worked as a bank teller, a legal secretary, and a long-time volunteer for hospice support staff. She was an active member at her church, and she sang alto in various church choirs from age 13 until age 90.
She was a loving parent and grandparent to her children and all children she met. Her family and friends were the joy of her life. She was fond of playing Bridge, Yahtzee, watching “Wheel of Fortune,” reading, and traveling to visit family and friends. Betty visited England, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, India, Canada, Switzerland, and most of the 50 states, including Hawaii, in her lifetime.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Tanner, her parents, all four of her siblings, and her newborn daughter, Connie Kay Tanner.
Betty is survived by one daughter Rita (and William Kirk) of Sacramento, Calif., and two sons, Brad Tanner (and wife Susan) of Fargo, N.D., and Philip Tanner (and wife, Kristin) of Sioux Falls, S.D. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter born in February of 2026.
Our family wishes to thank the caring staff of The Inn On Westport, Avera Hospice’s Dougherty House, St. Croix Hospice, and Sanford Hospital of Sioux Falls, S.D., for their devoted care to Betty. The staff truly made a positive impact on Betty and her family.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, Mo. Burial will follow in Miriam Cemetery, Bethany, Mo. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Bethany, Mo., or the charity of your choice. A celebration of life will be held at The Inn On Westport in Sioux Falls on Wednesday, April 15th at 1:00 p.m. Family and friends may share online condolences at www.robersonfuneralhome.com
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