RAPID CITYElizabeth Lee Bette Ellis, 92, died at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Tuesday, February 1, 2011. Bette Lee was born in Bloomfield, Nebraska on Dec. 7, 1918 to Glen and Anna Ogden (Anna was adopted off an Orphan Train in 1897 by Henry and "Minie" Meuting of Bloomfield). She married Dwain Conner in 1939. With their 5 children they moved to Rapid City in 1957. While coping with Dwain's debilitating illness, she managed to keep her family together by taking on a career in the Civil/service which spanned almost 3 decades. She married Lt. Col. Joseph Ellis in 1967. She was a beautiful woman woman both inside and out, possessing a fierce and unfailing faith and devotion to family. She will be remembered for her tireless efforts on behalf of the unborn dating from the 1960s. She had scores of pro-life letters published in local newspapers. She was also involved with the Humane Society, the Orphan Train Society, and numerous charitable works. Her home was a testimony to her love of animals, plants and books. Survivors include three sons Kerry, Patrick and Kevin Conner, all of Rapid City; a daughter Beth (Jack) Babb of Sioux Falls, a stepson Edward Ellis, Colorado; two stepdaughters JoAnne (Steve) Schleif, Corpus Christi, TX; and Diane (Rocky) Volker, Rapid City; 5 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 9 step-grandchildren, and 9 step great-grandchildren; and her 5 cats. Joining the circle of Bette's family during her final 2 years are devoted friends Ione Worman and her family. She was preceded in death by her sister Dorothy Houtz, her husbands Dwain and Joseph, and her first child Kelly Conner (Bette died on Kelly's birthday). Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Christian wake service Friday, Feb. 4, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Requiem Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at Immaculate Conception Church (corner of Fifth and South) with the Rev. Christopher Hathaway presiding. Burial will be in Pine Lawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Rapid City Right to Life or the Humane Society of the Black Hills.