Betty Mudder, 89
Betty Mudder, 89, of Freeman, S.D., passed away peacefully at her home on July 2, 2024. A funeral service was held Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Avon, S.D.
Betty Marlene Mudder was born Jan. 10, 1935 to Herbert and Christena Boepple.
Betty was a 1952 graduate of Avon High School and attended Yankton College where she graduated with a teaching degree in music education. Betty was known for being a band director that challenged her students to reach high goals in their music careers. The bands at Freeman and Baltic, S.D., received 30 superior ratings under Betty’s guidance. She was the first woman in South Dakota to receive the South Dakota Outstanding Bandmaster award. One of the highlights of Betty’s career was taking the Freeman band to both Florida and New York. She talked about that often and had many fond memories.
Betty was united in marriage to Alvin Mudder at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon on June 11, 1956. After a short stay in Baltic, they permanently resided in Freeman and farmed near Avon. The couple just celebrated their 68th anniversary.
Betty loved working at Fensel’s greenhouse and flower shop and meeting her friends for morning coffee. Betty was known for her beautiful flower gardens and loved the spring planting at Fensel’s.
Betty and Alvin enjoyed attending both Freeman and Avon sporting events. They enjoyed and spent many hours planning and helping with the Avon and state centennials.
Thankful for having shared her life are her husband Alvin of Freeman; sister-in-law Adella Massey of Avon; nieces and nephews and their spouses: Mark Mudder, Mike and Jennifer Mudder, Janice and Terry Smidt, George and Denise Mudder, Joyce and Jay Borah, Dale and Annette Mudder, Jane and Gary Gramkow, Julie Rothschadl, Alan and Lori Mudder, Larry Mudder, Joan and Greg Doty, David and Mary Mudder, Don and Marcia Mudder, Jacque and Jeff Liebl, Julie Mudder, Jim and Samantha Mudder, Jan and Nadia Mudder, Jeri Lynn and Corey Jastram, Paula and Daryl Weiting, Paul and Brenda Pudwill, Pam Olsen, Butch Hoverstadt; and multiple great- and great-great nephews and nieces.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; parent in-laws; aunts and uncles; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws: Roger Mudder, Jerry and Cherilynn Mudder, Marvin and Charlotte Mudder, Shirley and Robert Pudwill, Miriam and Arnold Johnson, Velda and Dewey Olson; nephews: Melvin Mudder, Jay Mudder, Keith Rothschadl, Robert Olsen, Darrell Olsen; and nieces Charlotte Hoverstadt and Pamela Pudwill.
Betty will be terribly missed by many.
