Tina Bettelyoun

T ina B ettelyoun of Pine Ridge, South Dakota, unexpectedly passed away at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City on August 15, 2022, at the age of 54.

Tina was born March 1, 1968, in North Platte, Nebraska, to John and Barb (Doucet) VanPelt. The family lived in North Platte when Tina was young then moved to Paxton where Tina grew up and graduated from high school in 1986.

On August 11, 1995, Tina married Lynx Bettelyoun in Hot Springs, South Dakota. They lived in Paxton then Oglala, South Dakota where she raised four girls, Aspen, Talon, Sadan and Arrow.

Tina enjoyed cooking and was able to make countless family recipes without having them written down. Her favorite dish to make was Gumbo, taught to her by her mother and passed down to her own daughters. Growing up, Tina loved to participate in 4-H, showing Hereford steers at the Keith County Fair. After high school, Tina enjoyed participating in both 8 and 9 ball pool leagues.

Throughout Tina's life she loved to attend her children's sports games, especially the volleyball matches. Even after her children stopped playing sports, Tina continued supporting South Dakota State University's Jackrabbits and the Oklahoma Sooners. Of all things that she enjoyed in life, Tina loved being with her kids and husband the most.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Barb VanPelt; and grandparents, Joe, Sr. and Ardis Doucet and Wilmer and Agnes VanPelt.

Tina is survived by her husband of 27 years, Lynx Bettelyoun; children, Aspen Bettelyoun, Talon Bettelyoun, Sadan (Jacob) Bettelyoun-Buysse and Arrow Bettelyoun; granddaughter, Ammay Hughes; her father, John VanPelt; sisters, Gina (Bob) Ferguson, Cortney VanPelt, and Raelyn (Jeff) Daly; as well as many nieces, nephews and other family.

Services were held in the Bettelyoun Family Cemetery near Oglala, South Dakota, on August 20, 2022. Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared online at siouxfuneralhome.com or odeanchapel.com.