Ellen Jurgens

Ellen Jurgens, age 98, of Wilmot, SD, died Monday, February 8, 2016, at the Wilmot Care Center.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank with Rev. Keith Bicknase officiating. Burial will follow in the Garfield Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the time of service at the funeral home on Friday.

Casket bearers will be Josh Zempel, Tom Holt, Charlie Jurgens, Rollie Jurgens, Larry Reil, and Steven Minder. Honorary bearers include the staff of the Wilmot Care Center.

Ellen Violet Jurgens was born on May 5, 1917, in Wilmot, South Dakota, to Gottfried and Rose (Minder) Opplinger. At a few months of age, Ellen moved to a farm in Springdale Township, SD, with her aunt and uncle, Fred and Louise Minder. Fred and Louise became her “mom” and “dad” and Ellen was given the gift of siblings in the form of her cousins. Ellen was baptized in the Lutheran Church at Wilmot on October 9, 1917 and confirmed on March 25, 1934, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wilmot. She attended country school through the eighth grade.

On December 28, 1937, Ellen was united in marriage with Richard Gerhard Jurgens at Christ Lutheran Church in Wilmot. They resided in Garfield Township, SD, for almost their entire 53 years of marriage. In 1947, they bought the farm on which they lived and worked. Ellen was always very proud of her farm. Although she primarily worked in the home and helped Richard on the farm, Ellen also spent several years working in laundry at St. William’s Care Center.

Ellen and Richard were both charter members of St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wilmot which was formed in 1951. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family, tending to her flower gardens, canning, and attending steam engine shows with Richard. Ellen was always a very nice and friendly woman who was loved by all who knew her.

Ellen is survived by her foster sister, Gloria Holt; foster brother, Armond Minder; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Jurgens in 1991; two sisters: Pearl and Myrtle; and by her aunt and uncle, Fred and Louise Minder.