Alice Ellis

Alice Ellis, age 89, of Yankton, South Dakota passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Avera Majestic Bluffs Hospice House in Yankton.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, on November 16, 2024 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with Reverend Dani Jo Bierwagen officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton with lunch and fellowship to follow. The family will receive friends one hour prior the service.

Urnbearers are all her grandchildren.

Alice was born July 16, 1935 in Yankton, South Dakota to Jake and Alice (Reimpa) Boerema. She married the love of her life, Edwin R. Ellis on June 23, 1955 and to this marriage, five girls were born. Alice was always so proud of the family her and Eddie raised. Throughout her life, Alice worked at Gurney’s Seed and Nursery, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital and the HyVee Bakery. She loved to go fishing and you could usually find her sitting on a dock or fishing off the wall at Gavins Point Dam. Alice also enjoyed gardening and working with her rose bushes and flowers. She enjoyed playing cards and going shopping with her girls. Alice loved her family and loved to host holiday gatherings. She was a kind, patient and sweet woman with a giant heart who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Alice is survived by five daughters: Barbara Gust of Omaha, NE, Lori Simonsen of Yankton, Judi (Jeff) Day of Elburn, IL, Cathy Rayson of Sioux Falls, SD and Amy (Robert) Graham of Smithville, MO; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eddie Ellis on July 3, 2014; two brothers, Ike and John; three sisters: Gertie, Menetta and Edna; and two sons-in-law, Charles Gust and Russell Simonsen.