Everett Ellerton

Everett's Tribute Video


Everett Ellerton, 95, of Highmore, passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at the Highmore Health.

Memorial services with military honors were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Highmore with Pastors Martin and Jenene Earl officiating.  A prayer service was held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 29, 2010 at the Luze Funeral Home in Highmore.

Everett Atkin Ellerton was born August 29, 1915 on the old home place 13 miles south of Highmore to Matthew and Mary (Peterson) Ellerton.  He spent his grade school years on the home place and later attended high school in Miller and Wessington Springs living with his sister Merle and her husband Harold.  He said he was really nervous at first, being a farm boy in the big city.  He graduated from Wessington Springs High School in 1933.  His dad then told him he didn’t want Everett to go through what he had, farming in the 1930’s.  The family sold a team of horses for $250.00 to pay for two years at Wessington Springs Junior College.  Then Everett had to sell his saddle horse which he said broke his heart, but had to buy an old Model-T to get to school.

After two years of school, he began teaching at rural schools in Hyde County.  His first two years were at Loomis Township, during the worst years of the dust storms.  During those years he also worked harvest time in Minnesota for what he said were wages at the time of 25 cents an hour plus room and board.  When he started teaching, he made $45.00 per month and was very proud to be making $75.00 per month in his last year of teaching. 

It was at this time he met the love of his life, Lorraine, at a dance at the Sheep Shed.  They were married on June 3, 1940 in Chamberlain, South Dakota.  Lorraine lived at Lower Brule and the rains made the roads bad, so her dad took her in his boat to Everett.

They made their home in Highmore, first living in an apartment, then buying the house they spent their lives together in. 

In 1942, Everett saw an ad in the paper that said enlist in the army reserve and learn a trade, so he signed up and went to Aberdeen to radio school for six months.  After Aberdeen, they went to Missouri for more schooling and then into active duty.  Lorraine traveled around the country to be with him as he went to various trainings.  He then went to Germany near the end of the war, serving in the Signal Corps, setting up communications systems.

Returning to Highmore, they ran the store until it burned in 1978.  He continued to take care of many people’s appliances and was always there to lend a helping hand.

Everett worked at Farmers Union Oil and then set up a small hardware store in the back of Lee's grocery store.  After a few years, he opened his own hardware store.  He loved his work and providing service, favors, credit and advice to many customers over the years.

Most of his spare time was spent with Lorraine and their children, hunting, fishing and yearly vacations to the Black Hills or lakes in Minnesota.

In retirement, Everett and Lorraine enjoyed travelling, taking cruises and visiting their many friends.  They loved spending the winter in Yuma, Arizona and were visited by their many friends and family, their door was always opened to all.  They also spent much of their retirement volunteering at church and the Healthcare Center.  Anyone who needed a hand at anything knew they could call Everett and he would be there.

The light of his life was his beloved wife and he cherished their more than 70 years together.

Grateful to have shared in his life was his wife, Lorraine; son, John (Connie) Ellerton and their children, Matthew (Linda) Ellerton and family, Nicole and Austin , Skylar (Kim) Ellerton and family Sarah and Maxwell and Daniel Ellerton; son, Brad Ellerton and his children: Sunny Ellerton and Justin (Kristine) Ellerton and family, Jace and special family friend, Julie Ellerton; daughter, Mary (Barry) Alger and their children: Todd Neuharth, Jackie (Sam) Dalton and family, Jessica, Mercedes and Darcy; Coty Wind, Donald (Ashley) Alger and family, Isabel, Mattea and Emma, Christina (Micky) Brehe, Karren Iron Heart, Theresa Alger-Wind, Treymaine Eagle Thunder Alger; sister-in-law, Rita (Aaron) Ellsworth; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Mary Ellerton; siblings: Ernest, Merle, Agnes and Goldie.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the United Methodist Church in Highmore.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Everett’s arrangements.