Her children rise up and praise her; her husband too, extols her: Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all. Proverbs 31:28-29 Elizabeth (Betty) Louise Ries Mathis went home to be with the Lord and Saviour on May 26, 2007. Funeral services are 11:00 AM Wednesday May 30, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 PM at Holy Spirit with a prayer service beginning at 8:00 PM Betty was born on July 18, 1935 in Platte, SD to John and Lucille (Kirsch) Ries. She graduated from Stickney High School in 1953. Soon after, Betty met her husband Alvin Gene Mathis of 51 years. They were united in marriage on May 1st, 1956. Betty and Gene were blessed with nine children and 17 grandchildren. Betty and Gene farmed northwest of Mitchell, SD for 22 years and moved to Kimball where they owned and operated the Travlers Motel for 22 years where they were active in their church and the community. In the summer of 1999, Betty and Gene retired to Mitchell, SD where they are members of the Holy Spirit Church. Betty enjoyed being involved in the community and her church where she touched all people with her strong faith and love. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Gene and her children: Pat Miller (Dean), Mitchell, SD; Pam Petersen (Greg), Lennox, SD; Calvin Mathis, Newport Beach, CA; Diane Sharping (Frank), Pukwana, SD; Mary Hunter (Kent), Lone Grove, OK; Julie Picek (Gerry), Aurora, NE; Karen Nedved (Craig), Rapid City, SD; Wayne Mathis, Murphy, TX; Bradley Mathis (Terena), White, SD and 17 grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents John and Lucille Ries, granddaughter Holly Petersen, sister-in-law Janice Ries, brother-in-law Gary Bryan and Baby Mathis (Brad & Terena Mathis).