Irene M. Ellsworth

Irene Ellsworth went home to Jesus Monday, December 13, 2021, at the age of 92. Memorial services will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 18, 2021, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Inurnment will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Howard. There will be a luncheon immediately following the memorial service.

Irene was born to Mildred (Chapin) and Emil Larsen on November 18, 1929, on the family farm in Wilmot. As a child, she enjoyed growing up on a farm, helping in the kitchen, caring for her younger siblings, and setting a good example. She graduated from Wilmot High School in 1947 and attended Northern State University. She obtained her Teaching Certificate and began her teaching career, teaching country school.

She married her high school sweetheart, Robert “Bob” Ellsworth on June 12, 1949, and moved to Watertown. Bob and Irene went on to raise 4 children in a loving and traditional home filled with small town activities, lasting friendships, and Christian values. Their lives took them from Watertown, to Philip, and then to Howard for 24 years before retiring in Sioux Falls. Irene went to work as a teller at the Miner County Bank when her children were all in school and remained a loyal employee there for over 22 years.

Irene was “one of a kind”! She was a strong Christian woman who enjoyed sharing, spreading, and teaching the Word with a love like no other. Her family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances were touched by her gentle ways.

Following her children’s, grandchildren’s, great grandchildren’s, and her great great grandchildren’s activities were in her heart and soul and she never grew tired of it. The number of wrestling matches, football games, basketball games, baseball and softball games, soccer matches, dance recitals and competitions, concerts, and church and school performances are endless as is the love for her by those she leaves behind. Irene was the person that everyone loved, honored, admired, and cherished. She “wrote the book” on how to treat others the way you want to be treated, and opened her heart, arms, and home to anyone who needed it. She is a true reflection of God’s Love. An avid member and participant of Bethany Lutheran Church in Howard and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, she was a faithful follower.

She is survived by her sister, Delores Ward; brothers Don Larsen, Larry Larsen, and Jerry (Jeanette) Larsen; children Bonnie (Greg) Behm of Omaha, NE, Tim Ellsworth of Ankeny, IA, and Elisa Coequyt of Sioux Falls; 12 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob” Ellsworth; parents Emil and Mildred Larsen; son Greg Ellsworth; great-grandchild Tyrese Parson; sister-in-law Joanne Larsen; and brother in-law Don Ward.

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