Funeral services for Ellef "Skipper" Severson, age 81, of Pollock will be at 10 AM, Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the Pollock Lutheran Church. Burial will be in the Spring Valley Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services. Skipper passed away Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Ellef Severson, Jr., was born on January 30, 1930 in Pollock, SD, the son of Ellef Severson, Sr., and Ruth (Scott) Severson. He attended grade school and 2 years of high school before retiring from school to start his ranching career. He worked for various local ranches for little wage and always said "I don't know why I worked so cheap", but they always had a horse or 2 to break which was better than money. Some where along the line he ended up working for Raymond Beed. Raymond nicknamed him Skip. I don't know what it meant but from then on everyone knew him as Skipper. After the ranch work he went south combining for a summer and that was the extent of his travels.

He started farming with his father in the late fifties. He then met Gertie Vander Wal and married her October 23, 1959. They had 2 children, Kelly and Nina. Gertie passed away in 1969 leaving him with 2 small children to raise. The next year his father passed away and the year after that his beloved mother, leaving him as both father and mother to the children. He also had the farm and ranch to run which would be very difficult. He excelled at it but left no time to be a member of any organizations. He was a God loving man but most of his church was in the pickup seat with Sunday services on the radio. Skipper took pride in raising registered Quarter Horses.

He was the A.A.R.P. Grandfather 2006-2007 of the year from an essay written by his grandson Kyle. He raised herefords and later black angus cattle. Even through blizzard conditions he made sure the animals were cared for. Before he went home the night of his passing, he made sure everything was cared for and ready for the next day.

Ellef is survived by his children, whom he was their father, mother and best friend, Kelly Severson of Pollock and Nina (Leo) Dillman of Mobridge, two grandchildren, Ashley (Fiancé Mike Varilek) and Kyle Dillman both of Mobridge, nephews, Jim (Jackie) Severson and their children, Toby and Todd Severson, and George Dorich, and his dog Nipper.

He is preceded in death by his wife Gertie Severson, baby daughter, Jewel, parents Ellef and Ruth Severson, brother James Severson, Sr., and sister Marge Dorich.