Inez Ellingson

Inez K. Ellingson, 94, New Effington, SD, passed away Thursday, February 16, 2023, at the Walworth County Care Center in Selby, SD.

A Celebration of Inez's Life will be Saturday, February 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in New Effington with Rev. Karie Geyer officiating. Music will be provided by pianist Melanie Yost.

The service will be livestreamed on the Eggers Funeral Home Facebook page..

Burial will be in the Garden of Rest Cemetery, New Effington. Honorary pallbearers will be Inez's granddaughters and great-grandchildren; and the staff and residents of the Countryside Inn and Walworth County Care Center.  Active pallbearers will be Ryan Ellingson, Josh Roark, Adam Zimprich, Matt Aberle, Chad Neff, and Andy Cartmill.

Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and will continue Saturday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Inez Kathryn (Veflin) Ellingson was born on June 16, 1928, in Wahpeton, ND, to Christ and Clara (Beito) Veflin. Growing up she shared many fun times with her sisters, Adeline and Dorothy.  Inez attended grades 1-8 at Old Effington Grade School, rural New Effington.  She graduated from New Effington High School in 1946 after which time she moved to Seattle, WA, where she worked as a waitress for two and one half years.

In June of 1949, Harold brought the love of his life back home to be his wife.  They were united in marriage on September 10, 1949, at Zion Lutheran Church in New Effington.  To this union two children were born, Gregory and Diana.  They made their home on the Veflin farm south of New Effington and later moved to the Ellingson farm, north of New Effington.  In 2015, they moved to the Countryside Inn in Rosholt. Harold passed away in 2016.  As her health declined, Inez moved to the Walworth County Care Center in Selby in October 2022.

Inez loved mowing their yard and spending endless hours in her flower gardens.  She loved sharing her flowers with everyone and you could always find a vase of fresh flowers on her dining room table.  She kept the Norwegian heritage alive, making lefse and rosettes to share with all.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the "sparkle" in her eye as she always had time to make all of their favorite foods and loved having them stay at the farm.  Inez enjoyed entertaining even if it just meant a cup of coffee and one of her famous caramel rolls.  No one ever left the yard hungry.  Neighborhood coffee and birthday parties were a must with the Eggers and Brandenburgers.

Minnesota Twins baseball was a high priority for Inez.  Time stood still when the Twins were playing.  Good year or bad year, it didn't matter, she was cheering them on.  She spent hours embroidering many, many sets of dishtowels which she loved to give as gifts.  Inez had a very giving and loving heart.  She was an avid whist player and enjoyed many card games and cups of coffee with her Countryside Inn family.  As one of the "Golden Girls," Inez painted and stained many homes in the area with her co-workers from 1967-1997.

Inez belonged to Faith Lutheran Church, WELCA, Circle, choir and the Merry Mixer's Extension Club.  She was a Sunday school and Junior Lutheran's teacher and a Hi-League advisor.  She also enjoyed bowling on the Ken-Mar Lanes bowling team.

Inez resided at Walworth County Care, Selby, until the time of her death.  During her short stay there, her warm loving smile and blue eyes helped her acquire another loving family.

Blessed to have shared in her life are her son, Gregory and his dear friend Brenda Knapp of Fargo, ND; daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Ron Mittleider of Herreid, SD; grandchildren, Ryan (Liz Swanson) Ellingson, Holly (Josh) Roark, all of Fargo, Kathryn (Adam) Zimprich of Cooperstown, ND, and Laci (Matt) Aberle, Courtney (Chad) Neff, and Kayley (Andy) Cartmill all of Bismarck, ND; great-grandchildren, Emry and Amden Roark, Cambree and Bridger Neff, William and Gracyn Cartmill, Bennett Aberle, and Easton Zimprich; and five very special nieces and nephews.

Inez was welcomed into heaven by her husband, Harold; parents, Christ and Clara Veflin; mother and father-in-law, Henry and Vlasta Ellingson; sisters, Adeline Stoskopf and Dorothy Miller; brothers-in-law, Howard Ellingson, Bill Stoskopf, and Don Miller.