SCOTTSDALE, AZ- Betty Lou McCoskey Reed joined the angels & those who have been waiting to greet her in heaven on March 29, 2017.  She must be having a wonderful time.

Born on September 27, 1934, to John & Genevieve McCoskey, in Poland, Indiana, she spent her childhood on the farm, the sun shining on her blonde curls, sharing her mother ' s excellent cooking with the farm hands, & learning to be a worker.  After graduation, she traded the farm for the city.

In 1952, she charmed Nick Reed, a young airman from the nearby airbase.  After they married, Betty moved to Duluth, MN, while Nick finished his tour.   She was her mother-in-law ' s — Carmen Minotte Reed — best friend & favorite shopping companion.  The Reed & Minotte families celebrated when three sons, Nick, Patrick, & William, were born.

In 1978, the family joined Nick ' s brother, Ron, in Rapid City, SD.  Betty became a valuable employee, first at the Coast-to-Coast store, & then at Allied Van Lines.  Wherever she lived, people welcomed her work ethic & friendship.

In 1994, after her beloved Nick died in Ft. Meade Veterans ' Hospital. Betty worked & enjoyed the company of her sons & families, & her many friends.

In 1998, Betty moved to Scottsdale, AZ, working in the Scottsdale school system as an aide for handicapped children.  A group of veterans ' wives were her companions in dining & socializing at the VFW.

Even as her health deteriorated, Betty remained strong & self-sufficient, never complaining, never a burden.

Her sons Nick (Lynda) Reed, Pat (Angela) Reed, & Bill (Melissa) Reed; grandchildren: Dominic, Andrea, & Stacy Reed, & Nicole Wensley; great-grandson Gabriel Reed; brother-in-law Ron (Marian) Reed; nephews & nieces: Michael, Kathleen, Caterina, and Austin Reed; & her many friends will miss her.

Services will be at 11:00, April 7 at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home (2700 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City, SD 57702).  Burial will be next to Nick in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD, at 1:00, April 7.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be dedicated to the American Cancer Society.