Elsie Nitschke

Elsie Marie Nitschke, 92 of Ellendale, ND died March 1, 2014 at Sanford Medical Center, Aberdeen, SD. The funeral is 3pm Friday, March 7 at Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale with Pastor Tom Eckstein officiating. Visitation is 2-6:30pm and prayer service at 5:30pm Thursday at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Visitation continues one hour prior to services Friday. Burial is at Ellendale City Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel. Elsie Marie Nitschke was born July 21, 1921 in rural Moango, ND. She was the daughter of John and Mathilda (Genter), Gebhardt. Elsie was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Monango. She was raised and educated in the Monango area graduating from high school and teaching one year during the war. Elsie and Fred were married November 4, 1944 and farmed until the spring of 1951. They moved to Columbia, SD and in 1954 Fred began working road construction. In the fall of 1962 they moved to Ellendale where they made their home. Elsie worked at S&M Café and Ellendale Memorial Hospital until she retired. Elsie was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale and enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She tried to attend all of their sporting activities until she couldn’t go at which time she watched them on TV. Elsie resided at Prince of Peace Care Center for four years until her death March 1, 2014 at Sanford Medical Center, Aberdeen, SD with her daughter at her side. Survivors include five daughters: Diane (Doug) Ulmer, Janice (John) Stefanowicz, Sharon (Dave) Kleppinger, all of Ellendale, ND, Janell Berg, Carson, CA, Patricia (Bob) Bland, Murrita, CA, Darryl (Tina) Nitsche, Rugby, ND; two sisters: Evonne Gilborne, Aberdeen, SD, Verna Green, Haiti, SD; two brothers: Delmon (Judy) Gebhardt, Sioux Falls, SD and Allen Gebhardt, Aberdeen, SD. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one daughter, one granddaughter, four sons-in-law, one sister and two brothers.