Elizabeth "Betty" Gollnick, 89, of Webster died Thurs., Sept. 30 at Sanford Hospital, Webster.

Livestream video can be viewed by clicking this link. https://youtu.be/XtfqHAhd4CA .

Betty, was born on March 9, 1932 in Andover, South Dakota to Victoria Schmit and Francis Patrick Prunty. Betty married Richard Grode on February 5, 1955at the All Saints Catholic Church in Andover, SD. After their first two children were born, they moved to their permanent farm on December 7, 1957 two miles west of Bristol, South Dakota. They eventually bought the farm in the summer of 1969. She and Rich raised their family of 8 boys and 3 girls.

While Rich assumed the normal duties of a farmer, Betty oversaw all operations in the house. Additionally, she tended an enormous garden (sometimes two), which included planting, weeding, harvesting, and canning. She took enormous pride in her flowers as well as her expansive and well-groomed lawns. But most of all, she took pride in her 11 children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Betty worked at the Bristol School as the head cook from 1978-1991. It was often noted that her years cooking meals for a family of 13 came in very handy when cooking for a school of 200+ students.

Richard passed away in September 2001.  Nine years later, Betty married James (Jim) Gollnick of Webster, SD on May 1, 2010 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Webster, South Dakota.  Jim was her constant companion for 11 years.

Betty suffered a massive brain hemorrhage at home on September 28, 2021 and returned to Richard and her siblings two days later.  While her smiling face, giggly personality, kind and gentle manner, and incomparable hugs will be greatly missed by all, we know that what she always said is true… God is good.

She is survived by:

Her husband Jim of Webster.

Children: James Grode (Brenda) Eureka, SD, Lynne Evans (Jim) Port Charlotte, FL, Sue Kessler (Phil) St. Charles, IL, Doug Grode, Simi Valley, CA, Judy Miller (Don) Newbury Park, CA, Kent Grode (Lori) Pierre, SD, Randy Grode (Haideh) Inver Grove Heights, MN, Kevin Grode (Mary) Omaha, NE, Darell Grode, LaGrange Park, IL, Joel Grode (Sue) Henry, SD, and Dana Grode (Rhonda) Fuquay Varina, NC and stepchildren Paulette Maursetter (Todd) of Hosmer, SD and Paul Gollnick, Webster, SD.

Grandchildren: Jared Grode (Jenneil), Heath Grode, Lori Bedi (Steve), Jennifer Grode, Michelle Robins (Mike), Ashley Grode, Jamie Kofoed (Kris), Jenna Fiala, McKenzie Grode, Isaac Grode, Haley Grode, Kit Grode, Jaclyn Grode, Shane Grode, Beka Grode, Josh Grode, Christopher Grode, Tehya Grode, Liam Grode, Aidan Grode, and Evan Grode and step grandchildren Elizabeth Benas (Eric), Lacey Moser (Jared), Corey Schlotte, and Robert Maursetter, and 14 great grandchildren.

Siblings: Ruth Prunty, Gene Prunty, Clarence Prunty, Marian Grode (Robert), William Prunty (Betty Jane), Sr. Patricia Prunty, Dorothy Meier (John), and Tess Evers (Darell).

Preceded in death by:

Richard Grode (first husband), granddaughters Jessica Grode (daughter of Jim and Ingrid Grode) and Macie Farness (daughter of Joel and Sue Grode), stepdaughter Beth Schlotte, and Betty's siblings: Ed Prunty, Evelyn Overas, Tom Prunty, Marge Wing, Cele Jurgens, and infants Robert and Mary.

Coester Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Webster

www.coesterfuneralhome.net