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Submitted: 12/2/23 • Approved: 12/6/23 • Last Updated: 12/14/23 • R275661-G275660-S3
Section Willow Plot # 1488
Katherine Lynne Willemssen
July 9, 1946 - December 24, 2022
Lynne Willemssen passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 24, 2022, at Ava’s House Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by family, after a brief battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Lynne will share a celebration of life with her husband Cal. Visitation will be held 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Miller Funeral Home – Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue. Their memorial service will be held 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at First United Methodist Church, 401 S. Spring Avenue. Inurnment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Senior Companions of SD, 4800 W 57th St, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 or the First United Methodist Church at 401 S Spring Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.
Katherine Lynne Ellefson was born in Sturgis, SD, on July 9, 1946, to Eric and Vera (Anderson) Ellefson. She was the third of four siblings and enjoyed her childhood with two older sisters, Coleen and Sherrol, and her younger brother, Gary. She graduated as a Sturgis Scooper in 1964 and made her way to Brookings to study at SDSU. She was active in vocal music groups, worked as an RA, and was even voted Miss Young Democrat as she earned her bachelor’s degree.
Lynne met the love of her life, Cal Willemssen, just before her senior year, and they were married in July of 1968. They welcomed two daughters, Darci and Erica, who made their family complete. Their 54 years of marriage served as a tremendous example of love, faith, patience, joy, shared interests, and complementing partners (after all, Cal was definitely not a Democrat). They enjoyed golf, bridge, and socializing in their earlier years of marriage, and travel, socializing, and grandparenting in their later years.
Lynne’s work throughout her life showed her tremendous caring disposition and desire to nurture others. She began her career as a social worker with Child Protective Services. Several years later, she worked for the Senior Companion Program (now Senior Companions of South Dakota) through the Good Samaritan Society. Working with the volunteers was one of the greatest joys in her life. Lynne retired as Executive Director in 2005 after 21 years with the program.
Lynne was generous with her time, and was an active volunteer in her daughters’ classrooms, sports, and musical activities throughout their school lives. As a Sunday School teacher and committee member, she devoted her time to the First United Methodist Church. She also shared her time with Junior League of Sioux Falls and enjoyed organizing fundraising events. The philanthropic organization PEO was close to her heart, and she served in several offices for the group over the years, remaining active until the time of her death.
Lynne’s study of Home Economics for part of her college life had a strong influence on her. She was quite a seamstress and provided incredible wardrobes for her daughters in their early years. She was also tremendously gifted as a hostess; she always had the perfect recipe, complete with elegant presentation, for any gathering or celebration. She especially enjoyed utilizing these culinary skills in her retirement in Fountain Hills, Arizona, where social gatherings and visits from family and friends were the highlights of her winters.
Being “Grandma” to Sam and Kate was a title she embraced with great enthusiasm. She had the best ideas for books, entertainment, and activities at every age and stage of their lives. She offered wholehearted support as she attended all of their sporting events, concerts, recitals, and plays. Sam and Kate are examples of the tremendous legacy of love she leaves behind.
Among those who are grateful for having shared her life are her daughters, Darci (Roy Adams) Willemssen, Sioux Falls, SD and Erica (Todd) Stahl, Canton, SD; grandchildren, Sam and Kate Stahl, Canton, SD; brother, Gary Ellefson, Rapid City, SD; brothers-in-law, Bill Rose, Lakewood, CO and Fred Lichte, Montrose, CO; sister-in-law, Cathy Willemssen, Clear Lake, SD; nieces and nephews, Bill (Terry) Rose, Lakewood, CO, Marci (Joe) Homra, Parker, CO, Brad (Sheila) Barbour, Irving, TX, Erika (Dave) Norman, Parker, CO, Nathan Lichte, Westminster, CO, Gretchen (Tony) Muniz, Centennial, CO, Erik Ellefson, Elko, NV, Tammy (Burdell) Gauger, Brookings, SD, Rick (Carrie) Willemssen, Tea, SD, Nikki Petersen, Sioux Falls, SD, Sara (Sid) Mirghani, Enid, OK, and Michael Bittiker, Sioux Falls, SD; as well as several great-nieces and nephews.
Lynne was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Cal Willemssen; her parents, Eric and Vera Ellefson; sisters, Coleen Rose and Sherrol Lichte; brother-in-law, Ed Barbour; sister-in-law, Barb Ellefson; niece, Shelley VanGalder, and two nephews, Bryce Barbour and Thatcher Ellefson.
(Obit added by dells December 6, 2023)
Contributed on 12/2/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275661