Hot Springs- Ella E. Bahr was born on March 18, 1919, in Hot Springs, SD. She passed peacefully on June 5, 2002, at Rapid City Regional Hospital, SD.
Ella's parents , Fred and Bethel Rasmussen, farmed near Smithwick, SD. Ella farmed with her husband, Ira B. Graves, near Oral, SD until his death in 1953. She then moved to Hot Springs, where she met and married Volney P. Bahr in June 17, 1955 in Hot Springs, SD.
Throughout her adult life, she lived in Oral; Hot Springs; Wind Cave National Park, Wyo.; Acadia National Park, Maine; Harpers Ferry National Park, West Virginia; Yellowtail National Park, Montana; Hyde Park National Park, New York; and then retired in Hot Springs, SD and Fortuna, Calif.
Ella held several jobs throughout her life, including cook at the VA Hospital; Nurses Aide at Sisters Hospital all in Hot Springs; Kitchen manager at Gardiner School Lunch program, Montana, Instructor for Job Corps School in Bar Harbor, Maine; along with a variety of other jobs.
Ella was an active member of the United Churches in Hot Springs and the Hot Springs Senior Center, serving two terms as Vice President. She was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and American Legion Auxiliary and Extension Homemaker.
She is survived by two daughters, Donna Romey of Gardiner, Montana; Iris Warren of Front Royal, VA; three sons,; Charles Bahr of Yorba Linda, Calif., David Bahr of Sioux Falls, SD and Larry Bahr of Napa, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2002 at Hot Springs United Churches, with Reverend Gary Warren officiating.
Private family services to follow at Fairview Cemetery near Oral, SD.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hot springs United Churches or Hot Springs Senior Center.
Behrens Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.