Ella Maye Nehls

Ella's funeral will be live-streamed on the Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page. 

Ella Maye Nehls, 87, of Aberdeen, SD, entered eternal rest on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen, SD.

A Funeral Service for Ella will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Aberdeen, with Pastor Mike Jacobson officiating.

A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at the church hall.

Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel in Aberdeen. Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Ella Maye Woolley was born December 15, 1935, in Bureau County, Illinois to Lester and Vivian (Stocking) Woolley. She spent her childhood years living in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Ella received her education and graduated from LaMoille, Illinois.

She worked in an orphanage in Iowa and later returned to Wisconsin to work on the family farm. This is where she met her first husband Dale Bengston and were united in marriage on September 9, 1956. From that union, two children were born: Teresa and Mark.

Ella Maye and Dale enjoyed camping, traveling, and square dancing with friends. They made new friends everywhere they traveled. While married to Dale, she worked at Mother Joseph Manor. After the passing of Dale, Ella Maye entered into marriage with Robert “Bobby” Nehls on June 19, 1992. She joined Bobby at his home in Claremont, SD, and enjoyed volunteering in different organizations in Claremont. She was a runner for Bobby at the Cenex Station and traveled all over the area for Cenex and Bobby.

Ella Maye and Bobby also enjoyed square dancing and volunteering in their surrounding community. After Bobby’s retirement, they took an active role in their membership in the Moose Lodge. It was not unusual for them to be on a road trip or just traveling around the country. Ella Maye overcame many health obstacles in her life with a brave attitude and true grit.

She is survived by her husband, Bobby Nehls; daughter, Teresa Tucker; sister, Ethel Marie (Jim) Leisz; stepson, Ronnie Nehls and family; stepdaughter Shelly (Paul) Steiner and family; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law Shirley Syhre and Rose Tewksbury.

Ella Maye was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Dale Bengston; son, Mark Bengston; two brothers, LaVern Woolley and George Woolley; and an infant sister Beverly.

Memorials in honor of Ella may be sent to the following places chosen by the family: Moose Lodge, Mitchell, SD, Yelduz Shriners, Aberdeen, SD, and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Altar Guild, Aberdeen, SD.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.