Irma Marie Ellis, age 95, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at The Neighborhoods at Brookview in Brookings, SD.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Elkton. A Visitation will be held the night prior from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Interment will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 30, at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
Irma Marie Ellis was born on Jan. 31, 1930, in Lismore, MN, the daughter of Andrew and Veronica (Wallace) Duwenhoegger.
Irma received her education in Marshall, MN, and was a graduate of the Marshall High School in 1948. After receiving her education, she was employed at Molter and Runchey Attorneys, in Marshall, MN, as secretary until 1957. She was then employed at Northwestern Bell Telephone Co, in Sioux Falls, SD, as the area customer services instructor and service representative, and later as the business office supervisor. She was united in marriage to Duane A. Ellis on April 1, 1978, in Sioux Falls, SD. Irma and Duane met at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls, SD. They made their home in rural Elkton until 2011 when they moved to Brookings. Duane died on Oct. 28, 2020.
She is a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Brookings. During her life she was active in many organizations including a Life Member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Elkton, SD, the Elkton Community Library Board of Trustees, where she served as treasurer and chairperson, the Ladies Guild of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Elkton, the Business and Professional Women’s Club where she served as Brookings Club Treasurer and the Sioux Falls Club secretary, historian and recording secretary. She was also active in the Sioux Falls Dominic Club and served as vice president, general chairperson and was a delegate to the National Convention three years.
Over the years, Irma enjoyed traveling, especially with Duane. She loved cooking and baking, but especially enjoyed spending time with her “adopted” grandkids.
Irma is survived by her nephew, Ed (Marsha) Timm; niece, Marjorie (Joe) Harrison and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Duane), one sister Virginia Rutherford and her husband (Robert).
Irma was so grateful to Ed and Marsha Timm and Marjorie and Joe Harrison for all the help and assistance they gave her.
