ANNAMAE COSTELLO

Annamae Florence Costello was born at home in Wagner on May 25, 1935 to Hugh James Costello and Florence Viola (Whetham) Costello. She died Monday August 11 at the Good Samaritan Society in Corsica.

Annamae graduated from Wagner High School in 1954. She married Gary Bettelyoun on April 23, 1957 in Wagner and to their union four children were born. After moving to the Black Hills and several years of raising her children, she worked at the Deadwood Hospital as a nurse’s aid. After surviving the Rapid City Flood of 1972, the family moved back to Wagner. Annamae found herself as being a single provider for her family. She worked various jobs such as being a school bus driver, working at the VFW, and Municipal City Liquor. She also worked as a nurse’s aid at the Wagner Good Samaritan Center for many years.

Annamae was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was a great supporter of causes such as the Disabled American Veterans and Boys Town.

She will be remembered for her love of Monday Night Bingo at the American Legion and her specialty of providing cakes and salads. Her nickname was “Annie.”

Annamae is survived by her four children: Cynthia Joyce (Michael) Harford of Wagner, Crystal Joy Pirner of Wagner, Francis Gary Bettelyoun of Spencer, and Paula Mae (Alan) Hrdlicka of Rapid City; 14 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; close cousins Jack (Edna) Whetham and Jim (Margie) Whetham; and several nieces and nephews.

Annamae was preceded in death by her parents and brother Jim Costello.

Funeral services were, Saturday, August 16, at the American Legion Hall in Wagner. Burial was in the Wagner Cemetery.