Gettysburg - Ella Brehe of Oahe Manor, formerly of Agar, S.D., died Tuesday, July 12, 2005, at Gettysburg Hospital. Services were Saturday, July 16th, at 10 a.m., at St. John's Lutheran Church, Agar with Rev. Lemcke officiating. Burial Onida Cemetery. Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg, is in charge of arrangements. Ella Marie (Olson) Brehe was born June 17, 1922, to Henry H. and Anna C. (Fransen) Olson in Sully County, S.D. After attending East Harrison Grade School and graduating from Agar High School, Ella attended Northern State Teachers College and taught school for 2 years before being married. Ella married Albert H. Brehe on March 4, 1944, in Pierre, S.D. They made their home on a farm 9 miles west of Agar, where they lived until moving to Beverly Healthcare Center, Pierre in May 2001. Albert died in September 2001 and Ella moved to Oahe Manor, Gettysburg in September 2003. Ella was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Agar, teaching Sunday School for 20 years, member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She was a member of the Farmington Extension Club and was Sully County Fine Lady in 1968. Ella was a 4-H leader for many years, being awarded the 4-H Alumni Award in 1998. She was chosen Sully County Friend of the Fair in 1998. Ella enjoyed her garden and flowers, crafts, cooking, sewing, and traveling. She especially loved spending time with her family, and entertaining her grandchildren and neighbors. Survivors include three daughters Bonnie Lou (Elmer) Smith, Lincoln Neb., Connie Lee (Eric) Hedeen, Piedmont, S.D., and Bobbie Jean (Leland) Bierman, Mansfield, S.D., and one son Dale Dean (Jane) Brehe; one sister, Annamae (Leo) Weischedel, and one brother, Royal (Wilma) Olson, both of Agar; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert, her parents, one brother (Albin Olson), and one great-grandson.
Published in the Aberdeen News on 7/21/2005.