Mary Fern Bettelyoun was born on May 15, 1947, in Allen, SD to Everett Bettelyoun and Emma Ruff. Mary made her journey to the Spirit World on February 6, 2025, at the Bennet County Hospital in Martin, SD.
Born to Emma and Everett Bettelyoun in Allen, South Dakota. Mary Bettelyoun went to school in Allen and then to Bennett County. She furthered her educational path at Oglala Lakota College Center earning herself multiple degrees. AA in General Studies, AA in Counseling, Bachelors in Human Services, and AA in Lakota Studies. When her brother Richard Bettelyoun Sr became a police officer, Mary decided to join him. She attended the police academy, became an officer, and served for ten years. Even though she was a small lady she was very skilled with a gun. She earned herself a couple sharp shooter medals. After her time on the force, she became the facility manager of the Lacreek Cap Office where she worked for 32 years finally retiring in the fall of 2024. Mary Fern was the epitome of an independent woman who could do it all on her own. She was a mechanic for most of her life and a Chevy lover. All of her vehicles she worked on herself and would help anyone who had a mechanical issue. At 5’2 she was most comfortable in her Chevy trucks. Besides mechanic work she could fix any issues in a house. Mary was known in her community as a kind woman who would greet everyone nicely and help with whatever they needed. She always believed in helping and giving when it was needed. Mary Fern resided in Bear Creek for the majority of her adult life, living and enjoying the community her family had created. The community had its own pow wow grounds, community building, and church. Lakota language carriers are sacred within the tribe, Mary was a fluent speaker and was happy to have conversations in Lakota. Family was very important to her. She had no biological children of her own but she helped raise nieces and nephews. Especially the children who lost a parent when her siblings passed, she became a mother to them. She loved having the children she favored around her, more than anything her takojas who she was so proud of and loved to show off. “Bazel” inspired and motivated many, she will be missed dearly.
Mary had no biological children of her own but she was the true definition of Tunwin. Her family she had a special bond with and who she helped raise. Mary is survived by her nieces, Tasina Wi Bettelyoun and Marie White Eyes; nephews, William Bettelyoun, Marcus Cottier, Richard Bettelyoun, Jr., Beau Imitates Dog, and Richard Cottier; brother, Spencer Standing Bear; her close grandchildren who brought joy to her life, Grayson Lee Bettelyoun, Bryant Bettelyoun, Charles Bettelyoun, and Arianna Standing Bear.
Mary is also survived by nieces & nephews, Kimberly Bettelyoun and Family, Elizabeth Bettelyoun and Family, Joni Bettelyoun and Family, Barbara Cottier and Family, Lavonne Dillon and Family, Kelly Cottier and Family, and Mary Cottier and Family, Hermus Bettelyoun and family, Joseph Cottier and family, Everett Cottier and family, Patrick Cottier and family, Mariah Cottier and family, and Shavonne Cottier and family. Mary comes from a large family, so she has numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins who she loved.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Emma & Everett Bettelyoun. Mary was the last living of her siblings and now they are all together-brothers, Charles Bettelyoun, Joseph Bettelyoun, and Richard Bettelyoun, Sr.; sisters, Julie Bettelyoun, Irene Bettelyoun, Darla Bettelyoun, and Cecelia Cottier; sister-in-law, Rena Marshall Bettelyoun; nieces, Sharon Cottier, Twylita Bettelyoun, and Stacy Marshall; and nephew, James Cottier.
Pallbearers are grandchildren Grayson Lee Bettelyoun, Bryant Bettelyoun, Charles Bettelyoun, Michael Poor Thunder Jr, Divante Cottier, Preston Cottier, Falcon Hamar, Bryce Charles Clifford, nephews Richard Lee Bettelyoun, Beau Imitates Dog, William Bettelyoun, Richard Cottier, Joseph Bettelyoun, Joseph Cottier, Jerray Richards, Dustin Cottier, Jacob Cottier, Kalen Cottier, friends, Riley Bear Robe, and Trevor Red Bear Sr.
Honorary pallbearers will be Keena Clausen, Desire White Eyes, Debbie Wheeler, Sheryl Lessert, Keeley Clausen, Arlana Bettelyoun & sons, Annabelle Black Bear, Charlene May, Daverine Shangreaux, Lorena Brave Hawk, Joann Fly, Loretta Witt, Kim Reddy, Amy Snyder, April Byerley, Angie Bush, Corbin Romero, Frieda Poor Bear, Sharon Richards, Sandy Fly, Curtis Hernandez, Frankie Hernandez, Larry Salway, John & Devona Bush, Carmen Cedar Face, Cole Bettelyoun, Michelle Shangreaux, Katana Rooks, Sam Dubray, Tyler Ruff, Friday Garnette, Salway family, Standing Bear family, and White Eyes family. East Winds Casino staff, Bros staff, Martin Auto Parts, Ace Hardware, Bob’s Gas, Bennett County Hospital Staff, and all friends and family.
Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 5:00 PM, Friday, February 21, 2025 at the Martin Activity Center in Martin, SD with evening services being held at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Martin Activity Center in Martin, SD
Officiating: Mother Michelle Dayton
Traditional Lakota Services: Justin Poor Bear
Burial Services: Grace Episcopal Cemetery, Martin, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD