Obituary of Betty Ann Drotzman

DROTZMAN BETTY

            Betty A. Drotzman, age 85 of Yankton, SD passed away Monday, February 04, 2019 at her residence.  Pallbearers are: Joshua Drotzman, Cody Drotzman, Travis Pokorney, Dillon Pokorney, Mike Drotzman, and Dan Droztman. Honorary Pallbearers are: Jennifer Likness, Stephenie Graham, Rachel Pokorney, and Brian Drotzman.

Betty Ann Drotzman, the daughter of Matt and Marie Goebel, was born on September 18th, 1933 in Aberdeen, SD. She was raised in Hoven, SD and was baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony of Padua Church. She graduated from Hoven High School and attended Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Yankton, SD. She obtained her registered nursing degree from there.

Betty married Rodney J. Drotzman on October 19th, 1954, in Yankton, SD. They moved to O'Neil, Nebraska in 1955 where they welcomed their first child, Jim. In November of 1956 they welcomed their second child, Kay. Soon after, they moved to Lake Andes where they welcomed their third child, Karen, in 1957. During this time period, Betty worked at hospitals in both O'Neil and Wagner.

After returning to Yankton, Betty worked for Sacred Heart Hospital. She was the head nurse of Labor and Delivery. While working at Sacred Heart, Betty flew weekly to Rosebud Indian Reservation where she and Dr. Gilmore worked together at the Indian Health Service Clinic. She was at Sacred Heart for 40 years and retired in 1998. Betty loved every aspect of her career in Labor and Delivery. During her career she made vast numbers of lifelong friends. She often said, "I caught a lot of babies."

After retirement, Betty enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels and at Majestic Bluffs doing filing. Among her other interests were her love for books, crossword puzzles, The Big Bang Theory, and Two and a Half Men. For a number of years Betty wintered in Boise, ID where she enjoyed spending time with her son, Jim and his family. She made many new friends during these winters.

Betty is survived by her son, Jim (Diane) Drotzman of Boise, ID; daughter, Kay (Steve) Pokorney of Yankton, SD; daughter, Karen Rolph of St. George, UT; grandchildren: Joshua Drotzman (Dana), Cody Drotzman (Maira), Travis Pokorney (Brianna Nickles), Stephenie Graham (Shaun), Dillon Pokorney, Rachel Pokorney, and Jennifer Likness and eight great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded into death by her mother and father; husband, Rodney; mother and father-in-law; son-in-law, David Rolph and sister-in-law and best friend, Aunt Pat Drotzman.