Ella Peiker

Ella Augusta Peiker, age 91, of Milbank, SD, died on October 5, 2017, at St. William’s Care Center. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 9, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank. Rev. Bill Cornelius will officiate. Burial will be at Revillo City Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 8, 2017, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home and continue at the church on Monday, one hour prior to the service.

Casket bearers will be Ella’s grandsons: Jeff Tribitt, Wes Peiker, Craig Mielitz, Colt Peiker, Justin Petersen, Austin Wiseman, Jon Peiker and Michael Rethke. Honorary bearers will be Ella’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ella Augusta (Butzin) Peiker was born at the family’s home on November 2, 1925, in Deuel County, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Paul and Augusta (Lemke) Butzin. She attended country school in Deuel County.

She was united in marriage with Lavi Lyle Peiker. Together they were blessed with eight children: Diane, Patsy, Doug, Dennis, Stanley, Jimmy, Tammy and Teresa. Ella was a loving mother and farm wife.

Ella enjoyed her time on the farm. She loved her farm animals. She raised thousands of chickens over the years. In addition to caring for her children and duties on the farm, she worked at St. William’s Care Center for many years as a Nurse’s Aide, and provided daycare.

Ella was a wonderful cook. She enjoyed preparing and serving lunch concessions at auctions. Her family will always treasure her recipes for caramel rolls and beans.

In her free time, she enjoyed embroidery, doing puzzles, gardening, canning, and tending to her flowers. Ella loved fishing, listening to country music and square dancing. She loved playing bingo and cards. She was an avid watcher of “Wheel Of Fortune” and liked scratch tickets. She loved babysitting, especially caring for her grandchildren. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ella is survived by her children: Diane (Bob) Tribitt of Rosemont, MN; Patsy (Kip) Rethke of St. Francis, KS; Doug (Gloria) Peiker of Revillo, SD; Dennis Peiker of Duluth, MN; Stanley (Lisa) Peiker of Corona, SD; Jimmy (Deb) Peiker of LaBolt, SD; Tammy (Richard) Mielitz of Big Stone City, SD; and Teresa (Owen) Petersen of Sioux Falls, SD; 29 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Herbert (Pearl) Butzin of Revillo, SD; sisters: Lulla Parker of Cloquet, MN; and Eva Seliger of Milbank, SD.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Paul and Augusta Butzin; husband, Lavi Peiker; sisters: Freda Smith and Rozella Butzin; brother, Ervine Butzin; and great-grandaughter, Kirstin Wiseman.