Elaine (Skaarer) Aden, formerly of Milbank, SD, died on Friday, March 1, 2019, at the Watertown Care and Rehabilitation Center. Funeral services for Elaine... Elaine Aden

Elaine (Skaarer) Aden, formerly of Milbank, SD, died on Friday, March 1, 2019, at the Watertown Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services for Elaine Aden are scheduled for Monday, March 11, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Mundwiler Funeral Home from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and continue one hour prior to the service on Monday. Rev. Justin Neugebauer will officiate. A private family burial will be at a later date.

Elaine Marie Skaarer was born in Grant County, SD, at the home of her parents, Elvin and Lillian (Erickson) Skaarer, on April 27, 1936. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Milbank and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at American Lutheran Church in 1949.

Elaine attended twelve years of school in Milbank and graduated with the Class of 1954. She was united in marriage to Glenn Mikkelsen in 1954, and they moved to California in 1956. While in California, she was employed as an information operator for Pacific Bell Phone Company in Huntington Park. From there, Elaine took a position with Pacific Semi-Conductors Inc. where she became a quality control inspector. She returned to Milbank in 1960.

On July 16, 1961, she was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Aden. God blessed this union with one son, Kirk LiMar Aden. She helped Ken raise his five children: Paulette, Perry, Cristy, David, and Kimberly.

Elaine was employed by the South Dakota State Extension Office in Milbank, working for Claire Eslinger. She also worked at the Lantern Inn, Eslinger’s Café, and the Whetstone Valley Nursing Home. She moved with her husband and son to Revillo, SD, where they co-owned The Villa Bar and Grill from 1978 to 1983. They retired from business in 1983, due to Mr. Aden’s disability and her two heart attacks.

Elaine served her church conference as ALC-W Stewardship Secretary for four years and as the Education Mission Secretary for ELCA-W for three years. While in Revillo, she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, was on various women’s circles, served as the vice president and president of the women’s council, and was a member of the church council. Elaine was a member of the Revillo Town and Country Club and the Senior Citizens.

Mrs. Aden was an accomplished vocalist and sang at many church and community activities. She wrote a song entitled “Faith” published by Chapel Recordings. Elaine earned many awards and published poems in the International Analogy Poetry Volume and Grassland Poetry Publications. She wrote short stories and loved entertaining. She would travel around with her electric organ, singing and playing for dances and special occasions. She also entertained at the nursing homes with her “Songs, Hats & Wigs” act. Elaine was also known as an accomplished seamstress.

Elaine was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Milbank. She was a member of the women’s circles, was in the chancel choir, was a Sunday school teacher, was involved with Love in Action, and was a member of ELCA-W. She was a charter member of the American Lutheran Church and a charter member of Granittdalen Lodge 1-651 of Sons of Norway, holding offices in the Lodge.

Elaine was living at Watertown Care and Rehabilitation Center and was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown at the time of her death. She is survived by her son, Kirk LiMar Aden (Heidi Randall); four step-children: Paulette “Pepper” Aden, Perry Aden, Cristy (Dallas) Spader, and Kimberly Koeshall; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; sisters: Doris Schwandt, Beverly Novy, and Judith Anderson; brothers-in-law: Myron Schwandt and Alfred Novy; and step-son, David Aden.

Mundwiler Funeral Home

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