Betty L. Varns, 83, formerly of Custer and Lead, died on June 29, 2018, in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Betty Lorraine Solomon  was born in Custer, on March 23rd, 1935 to LeRoy and Louise Solomon. Her childhood was spent in the Custer area where she attended Custer Public Schools. It was in this same area that Betty met her future husband to be, Orville W. Varns. On August 3, 1952 they were married. Betty and Orville lived in Custer until Orville's job with Homestake Mining Company took them to Lead, where they resided until retirement. They had four children, Gary W. Varns, Steven Varns, Sandra (Varns) Grode, and Daniel D. Varns.

Betty worked full time as a mom and also worked as a nurse's aide at the Homestake Hospital, drove ambulance for Homestake Mining Company and eventually became a switchboard/telephone operator for Homestake Mining Company until her retirement.  Betty loved her Lord and Savior Jesus and her Faith was shared with most everyone she knew or met. She loved her family and her best memories were time spent with them. She and Orville enjoyed going for rides through the Black Hills and traveling throughout Canada and many states in the U.S.  Many hours were spent enjoying the simple things in life; visiting with family and friends, family picnics, cooking, watching a good movie and playing dice and card games. Betty was an accomplished seamstress and loved to sew, knit and crochet.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents LeRoy and Louise Solomon, husband Orville, two sons Gary and Steven, two sisters Evelyn and Margaret, and her brother Albert Solomon.

She is survived by two children Sandra (Michael) Grode of Grand Junction, CO and son Daniel (Tammy) Varns of Hampton, IA; sister Virginia Varns; 13 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 6 at the Lighthouse Assembly of God Church in Hill City.  Visitation will be one hour prior.  Burial will be in Custer Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.

Betty's final days were made easier by the careful care of the Hope West Hospice team In Grand Junction, Colorado. The family is grateful for their professional and compassionate care.