Luella Matilda Derr, 82, of Vermillion, died at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017.
Graveside services are at 1 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 22, at First Lutheran Cemetery, in Brookings. A service of remembrance will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vermillion, (816 East Clark) for her friends and family.
Luella was born on Nov. 20, 1934, in Brookings to James Franklin and Alma Marie (Moe) Derr. The youngest of five children, she spent her early years at home as Luella was deaf. In those days, there was not the means to support the deaf and hard of hearing.
Luella entered the SESDAC program in Vermillion in 1978. This program provided Luella the support and means to live independent. She worked at different jobs but her favorites were her Pizza Hut and the USD dietary department jobs. Luella had a special way about her, even though she could not hear – she could read lips and knew what you were saying. You always knew if Luella was upset or mad, as she had her own unique way of communicating. You knew if she shook her finger at you that you were in hot water. Luella had a smile that was unique to her – she brightened the whole room when she entered.
Luella loved many activities in her lifetime. She traveled often but her biggest trip was a trip to Disneyland in California. She was never tired of telling about meeting Mickey Mouse. Luella’s biggest passion was horses. If you were near her and she saw horses – she would grab your arm and made sure you saw the horses as well. In her later years, she was very fortunate to enjoy dancing. At the 2015 Prom - Night to Remember sponsored by Tim Tebow, Luella’s shining moment came when she was crowned Prom Queen. Who could forget her smile! Oh how she was so proud.
Luella was the last remaining child in her family. She was preceded in death by her sisters Gladys Olson, Dorothy Gilbertson, Gloria Krumrei and one brother Clifford.
She is survived by nieces, nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com
