Bette J. Johnson, 94, of Porcupine, SD, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Bette was born April 27, 1931, in Oak Harbor, WA, the youngest child of Arthur & Virginia (Heron) Frostad. Bette grew up on the family farm on Whidbey Island, WA, not far from the Naval Air Station at Ault Field. Little did she know, this was preparing her for meeting the love of her life.

When WWII came along, Bette and her mom Virginia volunteered to be plane spotters, reporting any foreign planes that could be a threat to the homeland. Through this volunteer work, Bette met her dream guy, US Navy Pilot Lt. JG Robert L. Johnson, a cowboy who came from his family ranch near Rapid City, SD.  They were married on Whidbey Island on February 20, 1948, the start of 70 blessed years together.  Bob's dream of starting a cattle ranch was calling, and in 1949, he retired from the Navy and brought Bette back to South Dakota cow country.

In 1953, Bob and Bette established the Spear Ranch near Rockyford, SD later partnering with their son, Clay and his family. They raised three children—Clay, Christine, and Kathleen—who were helpful and active on the ranch. They all participated in rodeos and horse shows, which Bette and Bob enjoyed attending. Bette and Bob were also 4-H leaders for many years and had fun hosting horse show practices at the ranch.

Bette wore many hats. She enjoyed being a ranch wife, helping with the cattle and the many chores that came with that. She also enjoyed riding her favorite horse, Flicka. She was a warm and welcoming host, always ready at the drop of a hat to feed a crew. Bette was an avid seamstress, making custom outfits for 4-H events, prom dresses, and many western outfits for her little girls to wear in the Range Days Parade. She also loved to ride in the parade herself and was awarded Best Dressed Cowgirl one year.

How happy Bette was when the grandchildren came. She delighted in every moment spent with them, from babysitting to attending their many horse shows and sporting events to taking trips together. Countless hours were shared together playing games or cards and laughing well into the night. She would never go to bed until everyone else was tucked in, as she didn't want to miss out on any time together. She loved her family and her home.

Bette was also an accomplished businesswoman. She started working for Shannon County Schools as clerk for the Board of Education in 1954 with a budget of $30,000. When she retired 40 years later, she was responsible for a 10-million-dollar budget. During her years there, Bette was very dedicated and received many awards. She also made many dear friends in this time, which she cherished. Upon her retirement, she was honored by the State of South Dakota with an Executive Proclamation naming June 30, 1994, as BETTE JEAN JOHNSON DAY.

Bob and Bette were both proudly active with the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. Bob was a director and a president of the Stockgrowers. Bette was a dedicated partner in the work and was instrumental in starting the trade show at the annual convention. The Stockgrowers Association was important to them because it supported the life they lived and loved.

Bette was dearly loved and will be missed, but we know we will see her again. She is survived by her son Clay (Nicole) Johnson of Porcupine, SD; daughter Chris (Billy) Hutchinson of White River, SD; daughter Kathleen (Bill) Timberman of Rapid City, SD; grandchildren Benjamin Johnson of Porcupine, SD; Carly (Eddie) Lutz of Denver, CO; Kacy (Matt) Gill & great-grandson Coy Gill of Pierre, SD; Clay Hutchinson & great-grandson Jace Hutchinson of White River, SD; and many nieces and nephews. Previously gone on to be with the Lord, her husband Robert L. Johnson, her parents Arthur & Virginia Frostad, and her brother Robert Frostad.

Funeral services will be at 11:30 AM on Friday, November 14, at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City, SD, with burial at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD. Memorials may be made to The Club for Boys, Rapid City, SD.