Betty J. Bicknell

Betty J. Bicknell, age 93 of Newton, NC, formerly of Yankton, SD passed away on Saturday August 23, 2014. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the United Church of Christ (Congregational), Yankton, with Rev. Molly Carlson officiating. A private, family committal service will be held in the Yankton Cemetery. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, is assisting with service details.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband William Bicknell and granddaughter Marguerite Brenner. She is survived by children Nancy (Steve) Brenner (Nashville, TN), Cynthia (Tom) Dion (Cottage Grove, MN), John (Heather) Bicknell and James (Leann) Bicknell both of Yankton, eight grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

In 1984 Betty became a full-time volunteer for the United Church of Christ with assignments in AZ, GA, MO, NC and PA. She received the national volunteer award for her service. Much of her volunteer work was at Abernethy Laurels, a retirement community in NC and she remained there after ending full-time volunteer status but continued with some volunteer activities until a year ago.

Betty was born in Lead, SD and moved to Scotland, SD as a child where she graduated high school. She received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Yankton College and worked as a school teacher and chemist. She returned to Yankton College to work in the business office after her children were grown.

She was always a volunteer serving as president of the Girl Scout Council, Cub Scout leader, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent and on the RE Committee of her church in Yankton. Betty was a past president of Chapter K, P.E.O. in Yankton.

Please direct memorials to Grace Reformed Church of Christ, 117 East J Street, Newton, NC 28658 and United Church of Christ, 210 W. 5th Street, Yankton, SD 57078.