Obituary of Betty E. Slowey

SLOWEY BETTY Pallbearers will be Geno Healy, Larry Lanning, Brett Hacecky, Rico Eversley, Jason Kral and Jim Byrkeland. Betty E. Slowey was born on July 24, 1924 at Sacred Heart Hospital to James and Dorthea (Thomas) Garvey. She married Lloyd T. Slowey and to this union, two sons were born, Thomas J. and Gerald D. The Garvey family lived on a farm in the Gayville area and then moved to Yankton. After graduating from high school in Yankton she worked for several businesses in Yankton ultimately helping with the family business, Garvey’s Sport Shop. A second family business, Betty’s Lunch, operated on Main Street, Yankton next to Garvey’s, for years and served thousands of ten cent hamburgers. The “gun shop” stayed in the family after Betty’s father Jim passed away and after the death of her brother Bill, she purchased the business and ran it until purchasing the H&R block franchise which she operated until her retirement. Never afraid to try something, she obtained a private pilots’ license at a young age. Once she made her mind up to accomplish something it was as good as done. When her father Jim suffered a stroke, she became his care provider as well as took on additional responsibilities at the business. She took pride in the fact that she was probably the only woman around who could disassemble and put back together Browning shotguns as well as keep books for the business. After retirement Betty was able to pursue the things that made her happiest, being outdoors tending to her plants and enjoying the birds and animals on her farm. She had directed the family’s purchase of the original golf course property north of Yankton in 1965 and there she spent the majority of her time mowing, planting, and feeding the hundreds of various birds that frequented her numerous feeders. The rural setting was a perfect place for her to welcome her family who she loved spending time with. Deteriorating health required Betty to leave her home in 2014 and she moved to Majestic Bluffs where she lived until her passing. The staff at the home would describe Betty to family as independent, tenacious, feisty, strong and opinionated. We had to agree. She will be missed. Betty is survived by her son, Tom and daughter-in-law, Cheryl (Close) Slowey; granddaughters, Erin (Justin) Munson, Rae Lynn Slowey and fiancé Jason Kral, great-grandsons, Garrett Munson, Evan Munson, Mitchell Slowey and Cole Slowey and new family members, Jaden, Bryce and Karson Kral. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Bill and son, Gerry.