Elaine Ahlemeier

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Elaine Ahlemeier, 91, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Gettysburg, passed away Wednesday, July 3, 2019 peacefully at her home in Sioux Falls. She has donated her body to Science at USD, Vermillion, SD.

Celebration of Lifer Service was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 8, 2019 at 10 at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding.

There will be a celebration of life at Royal Oaks Apartments in Sioux Falls at a later date.

Elaine Hansen was born March 23, 1928 in Gettysburg, to Charles “CP” and Lillian (Stambach) Hansen. She attended Gettysburg Public Schools and then earned a bookkeeping/accounting degree from Northern State College in Aberdeen. She worked at the Gettysburg Creamery after high school, was Potter County Deputy Clerk of Courts for about 30 years, also worked as a clerk at MDU, Evelyn’s Motel, worked at the Gettysburg Sale Barn on sale days and served as United Methodist Church secretary/treasurer for many years.

On August 31, 1949, Elaine married Harold John “HJ” Ahlemeier of Quincy, IL, at Pierre, SD. To this union six children were born born: Mike, Cindy, Linda, Kay Lynn, Brenda, and John.

Elaine lived in Gettysburg, SD, until 2008 when she moved to Dell Rapids, SD, and later to Sioux Falls, SD.

She was a member of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, the Rebekah Lodge, the Grey Ladies, Medicine Rock Senior Center and the United Methodist Church in Gettysburg and Asbury United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. She also served as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader for many years. For several years she read “In Flanders Fields” for Memorial Day Services. She enjoyed bowling, playing bridge, square dancing and was involved in Bible studies both in Gettysburg and Sioux Falls. While living in Sioux Falls Elaine belonged to a Tuesday morning devotional class, Tuesday afternoon dominoes group and swimming aerobics class. During the fall of 2018, she wrote a book about her life: growing up during the depression, her marriage, custom combining, and farm life; her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Everyone enjoyed her great sense of humor. She will be truly missed.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Mike Ahlemeier, (Kathy Schweitzer), Gettysburg, Cindy Futch, Sioux Falls, Linda Helgeson, Louisville, CO, Brenda Snipes, Renner, and John (Tina) Ahlemeier, Aurora, CO; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Sharon Jensen, (Robert Pollock), Bismarck, ND.

She was preceded in death by: husband, Harold John Ahlemeier; daughter, Kay Lynn Ahlemeier; parents, CP and Lillian Hansen; brother, Lyle Hansen; son-in-law Charles Ricky “Rick” Snipes; and grandson, Keith Helgeson.

The family would like to extend a sincere thanks to Dr. Stephen Billion and Avera Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Elaine. Elaine decided to donate her body to the Sanford USD Medical School in the hopes that others may possibly avoid the pain and suffering of congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Elaine’s arrangements.