Twyla Ethelyn (Ellestad) Niesen

Twyla Ethelyn Niesen, 83, of Aberdeen, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2020, at her home.

Twyla’s private memorial service, for immediate family only, will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 18, 2020, at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, with Pastor Jeff Whillock, of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, officiating.

Burial follows at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Family and friends may sign Twyla’s online guestbook and view her service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Twyla Ethelyn Ellestad was born April 11, 1937, in Austin, MN to Tyrell and Ethel (Keen) Ellestad.  She was raised on the family farm NE of Britton, SD.  Following graduation from Britton High School, Twyla furthered her education at the Aberdeen School of Commerce.

On December 14, 1958, Twyla married Jack G. Niesen in Britton, SD.  Their first home was in Miller, SD.  They then lived in Tyndall, SD until 1965, when they moved to Aberdeen.

In addition to being a wife and mother, Twyla worked for many years for Home Interiors and Gifts as a unit manager.  There she found much success and received numerous awards before retiring.  She and Jack raised three sons and shared 61 years of marriage before he passed away earlier this year, on April 14th.  Twyla continued to reside in Aberdeen until the time of her death.

Twyla, like her mother, was an excellent cook and consummate hostess who enjoyed feeding everyone whether they were hungry or not.  She also enjoyed an evening out being entertained by local Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond impersonators.

Grateful to have shared in Twyla’s life are her sons:  Kirk of Aberdeen, Kraig (Sandi) of Oakes, ND and Kent (Sherise) Niesen of Las Vegas, NV; her grandchildren:  Lacey (Nick) Fortner of Marina del Rey, CA, Tyler Niesen of Sherman Oaks, CA and Karlyle Niesen of Aberdeen; and her siblings: Tyrell (Mary) Ellestad of Aberdeen, Dennis Ellestad  and Shelly Swanson, both of Las Vegas, and Deana Ellestad of Rapid City, SD.

Twyla is preceded in death by her husband, Jack; her parents, Tyrell and Ethel; and her mother-in-law, Bobbie Unger.