Katherine R. Ellingson

Katherine Regina Ellingson, 94, of Aberdeen, SD, formerly of Stratford, passed away Wednesday, January 24, at Mother Joseph Manor in Aberdeen, surrounded by her loving family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Katherine will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 Third Ave., SE Aberdeen, with Father Gregory Tschakert as celebrant.

Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary, with a liturgical wake service beginning at 5 p.m. Visitation continues for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Monday.

Memorials are preferred Avera Home Hospice of Aberdeen, Stratford American Legion Auxiliary, Sacred Heart Cemetery, or Warner School Foundation.

Schriver’s Memorial and Crematory, 414 Fifth Ave. NW Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign her online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.

Katherine (Kathy) Regina Ellingson was born December 2, 1929, on a farm southwest of Aberdeen to Phillip and Mary (Hoffart) Blando. She was raised on the family farm along with her six siblings. They worked hard, played hard, and developed a strong love for one another. She attended Riverside Country School through eighth grade and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1947.

Following graduation, Kathy was employed at Sacony-Vacuum Oil Company in Aberdeen before devoting 45 years to working in the office of Hub City Livestock.

Kathy was united in marriage to Eugene Groebner in June 1951. They were blessed with two children, Janet and Joseph. Gene passed away in November 1955, and Kathy and her children moved back to the farm with her parents and brothers, who were still living at home.  In June 1962, Kathy married Richard “Dick” Ellingson, and they later welcomed another son, John. They raised their three children on a farm near Stratford.

Kathy loved farm life, the animals, and being involved in all aspects of farming. She was known for making 5-star lunches that she delivered to the field and which were eaten on the tailgate of a pickup. Kathy was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain family and friends. She was a serious card player, an avid reader, and loved to go dancing with Dick and their friends. She loved sports of all kinds. When she was young, Kathy played many games of football and baseball with her brothers and later with her children. She supported and attended her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, both academic and athletic, and was an enthusiastic fan of the Green Bay Packers.

Because one of Kathy’s greatest ambitions was to help educate our youth, she served on the Warner School board for over twenty years. She was actively involved in the Hub Area School Board, Alexander Mitchell Library Board, Stratford American Legion Auxiliary, and Young Mother’s Club of Warner. Kathy served on the Election Board and was a Census taker. Kathy’s faith was very important to her and if you were a family member or friend, you can be assured you were remembered in her prayers. She was a long-time member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Altar Society. After her retirement, she was Chairman of the Funeral Committee, for which she made countless cakes and sandwiches.

Although Kathy loved her family and friends, she also loved her family at Nano Nagle and Mother Joseph Manor, who took such loving care of her as her body grew tired.

Blessed to have shared Katherine’s life are her daughter, Janet (Mick) Palmer of Sioux Falls; two sons, Joseph Eugene Ellingson of Sioux Falls and John (Nicole) Ellingson of Stratford; one brother, Joseph Blando; one sister-in-law, Catherine Blando; and one brother-in-law, Bruce Aisenbrey; grandchildren: Melissa (Herman) Brandner-Otten, Barry Palmer, Brent (Melissa) Palmer, Taylor (Michael) Schreiber, Logan (Ryan) Heilman, Peyton (Edward) Price, and Landon Ellingson; great-grandchildren: Ally Brandner, Andrea Brandner, Hayden Otten, Vivian Palmer, Vance Palmer, and Bentley Heilman; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Phillip Blando; brothers: Leo (Velma), Del (Vernice), and Edward; sisters: Helen and Eva Ann (Warren); sisters-in-law: Marie Blando and JoAnn Aisenbrey and husbands: Gene Groebner and Richard Ellingson.