Betty Elizabeth Red Horse

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Auntie, and friend who departed from this world on August 31st 2025 and is mourned by her devoted family and friends.

Betty was born on October 5th, 1945 to Rev. William Hanks and Mary Ellen (Roy) Hanks. In Red Lake, MN. She was raised and educated in Ponsford, MN (Pine Point). Because her father was an Episcopal Priest the family was brought up in that faith. It was in Ponsford that he led the congregation at Breck Memorial in Ponsford for many years. In 1957, the Rev. Hanks accepted a new role within the Episcopal church on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. They made home in a town called Fort Yates. Rev Hanks would serve the many episcopal churchesthroughout Standing Rock.

Betty would eventually meet her husband Courtney and wed in 1965 and begin a family. Over the years, her siblings and mother would move back to Minnesota making their homes in White Earth.  She too eventually moved back to Minnesota to be with family in leaving her sister Judy with her family in Ft. Yates.

Over the years Betty made a career as Administrative Assistant for many different places, but one place she would hold dear to her heart would be White Earth Head start working with kids.. She absolutely loved those kids!

A straightforward woman with an amazing sense of humor, who valued everything she had. She had a strong love for her kids and her Grandkids even more. She even loved and treated her nieces and nephews as her own. Her life was a testament to her values of compassion, forgiveness and a deep love she held for her family. She was a true original. She believed that life was too short to be too serious, a philosophy she lived by in every aspect of her life. She taught everyone it was ok to laugh at yourself, to find joy in ordinary things, and to never turn down a chance for a good time. Whether it was a spontaneous road trip, late-night phone call filled with gossip, she made every moment feel brilliant. She was known for her amazing and killer homemade baked beans. Her sense of humor was legendary, and she had a gift for delivering advice wrapped in a little warmth and a lot of wit.

She is survived by her Children, Tyler Red Horse, William Red Horse, Judy Red Horse- Dominguez, and Jess Red Horse. Grandchildren Aubrey, Anthony, Krista, Estevon, Mariah, Precious , Jose, Tyler Jr., Alana and Alaina and a Brother Sherald J. Hanks.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Frances “Jonesy” Hanks, Wilma “Bobbie” McGregor, Bill “Beeker” Hanks, Mildred “Judy” Thomas, Tom Hanks and a daughter Donna “Niche” Redhorse and a grandson Eric Redhorse.

She also leaves behind her dog and her best friend “Chewy”.

Funeral services will be conducted for Betty at St. Columba Episcopal Church of White Earth on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025 beginning with a visitation at 10am, and formal services starting at 11am. Inurnment at St. Columba Episcopal Cemetery will be held at a later date.