Betty Jo Melchert

Betty Jo (BJ) Melchert, 72, died February 27, 2024, in her Gillette home following a relatively brief illness. She was born March 1, 1951, in Deadwood, SD. The daughter of Floyd and Betty (Lyons) Varland. She grew up in Newell, graduating from Newell High School in 1969. On December 9, 1969, she married Clifford Melchert who survives in Gillette. She is also survived by a brother, Ron (Nita) Varland; nephews, Keith (Stacie) Morell and John (Sarah) Varland; nieces, Vikki (Alan) Gifford and Alison (Pat) Hinkle. Other survivors include great-nieces, Katie Remington and Harper Hinkle and great-nephews, Patrick (Trinity) Hamling, David Alan Morell, and Josh and Timothy Varland. She also is survived by her longtime best friend, Charlie Gearhart of Gillette. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Gaylene Morell and brother-in-law David V. Morell. Betty Jo was a long-time associate of Knecht Lumber, having retired in 2016. She was an accomplished embroiderer, an avid reader, and a thoughtful relative who remembered and celebrated birthdays and holidays with cards on those special occasions. She was a long-standing member of the Eagle’s club and American Legion auxiliary. She had become a lifetime member of the Eagles. She loved camping and boating (no fishing poles allowed) playing cards and all-around fun with Bob and Charlie Gearhart.