Funeral services for Elva Ellwein, age 92, of Mobridge and formerly of Isabel will be at 11 AM CT, Friday, October 25, 2013 at the UCC Church in Mobridge. Burial will be at 1:30 PM MT Hillsview Cemetery in Isabel under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Elva passed away Sunday, October 20, 2013 at the Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Elva Maud Bouwman Waddell Ellwein was born on August 11, 1921, to Richard and Mabel (Hettrick) Bouwman on the homestead southeast of Merriman, NE. She graduated from Merriman High School in 1938.

On April 18, 1939 she married Frederic Edwin (Ed) Waddell at Martin, SD. They lived in Merriman and had four sons, Frederic Jack, Donald Eugene, Robert Wendell, and Merle William (Bill). The family moved to Isabel, SD, right after the 1949 blizzard and ranched there until they moved to town and Ed worked for the Automotive Co. as an electrician and mechanic until his death in 1966. Elva thoroughly enjoyed raising her sons and taking part in their activities. She also raised a large garden and loved to cook.

Elva worked in Elfrink's Super Value Store in Isabel, where she always had a friendly smile and a cheery word for the customers.

Elva and H.O. (Ben) Ellwein were married June 5, 1967. Elva thoroughly enjoyed being Ben's fulltime ranching partner at Isabel. They were members of a cattleman's association and the Isabel Rodeo and Saddle Club.

Ben and Elva moved to Belle Fourche in the early 1990's and then to Summerset, SD, and later to Somerset Assisted Living in Rapid City. In the fall of 2006 they transferred to the Golden Living Center in Mobridge. After Ben's death Elva moved to Prairie Sunset Village Assisted Living and then later back to the Golden Living Center.

She was a proud grandmother to her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of the United Church of Christ. She was well-known for her hospitality wherever she lived. One of the highlights of her life was a five year Bible study. Elva enjoyed fishing, hunting, square dancing, gardening, riding horses, playing cards, singing and playing harmonica.

She is survived by her sons, Don (Peg) Waddell of Mobridge, Bob (Esther) of Bonesteel, SD, daughter-in-law, Joyce Waddell of Bison, SD, and a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as many friends.

She was preceded in death by two husbands, her sons, Jack and Bill, two daughters-in-law, Judy and Paula and two grandchildren, sister, Lola and half-brother, Derk.