Nellie Grace, (nee Kleinjan) Reeves, died Dec. 27, three days before her 98th birthday.
Nellie was the beloved wife of the late Oliver Dwight (Ike) Reeves and the mother of William (Susan), James (Susan) and Laurel Reeves. She had seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Hattie Kleinjan, sister Gertrude and brother Leonard, husband Ike and granddaughter Julie Reeves.
Nellie was born on Dec. 30, 1919, and raised on a farm near Volga and she and her husband farmed nearby until 1981 when they moved to Brookings. In addition to being a farm wife, Nellie was active as a leader in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H where she also served as a Trustee of the 4-H Foundation. Later in life Nellie worked as the secretary to the Dean of Engineering at South Dakota State University.
Nellie was an Elder and Deacon in the Presbyterian Church and a state officer and Life Member of Presbyterian Women and a state officer in Church Women United. She was a Past Matron of the Order of Eastern Star.
When she and Ike moved to Sioux Falls in 1993 she became active as a coach in the computer department of the Center for Active Generations.
She also led the Energizers in her church for many years and baked cookies for the After-School Program. Nellie’s hobbies included a very large garden, needlework, working with youth and elderly and with computers.
Nellie’s funeral will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 2300 S. West Ave., Sioux Falls, at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, with interment to follow at Trinity Cemetery in Volga. Visitation will be at Miller Funeral Home – Westside Chapel, 6200 W. 41st St., Sioux Falls from 5 to 7 p.m, Friday, Jan. 5.
Memorials may be directed to Habitat for Humanity.
