Ellen Elaine Eberle was born May 13, 1937, in rural Lincoln County to parents Ralph and Hazel Johnson Lounsbery. Ellen grew up on farms in the surrounding Beresford area, attended Sunnyside School and was confirmed at the United Methodist Church there. She graduated from Beresford High School in 1955. On October 2, 1956, Ellen was united in marriage to the love of her life, Duane "Pete" Eberle, in Beresford, South Dakota. Mrs. Eberle was a loving wife and mother to three daughters and created a modest, but nurturing home for her family in Centerville, SD. She was involved in her children's lives, volunteering in the community and teaching Sunday School at the First Baptist Church in Centerville where she was a member. After the untimely death of her husband in 1974, she was employed in the dietary department at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Centerville, where she was a dedicated worker. She retired in 1983 when she was disabled after being hit by a drunk driver in a car accident that claimed the life of her oldest daughter, Pamela. With the assistance of her daughter, Kathy, she continued to live in Centerville after her recuperation. Affectionately called "Grammy," she devoted the remaining years of her life to helping raise her grandchildren and was beloved by her great-grandchildren. They will remember her "Grammyisms" and sage advice fondly Her great love of gardening and animals started early on with her participation in the Prairie Herdsmen 4-H Club. Ellen had a natural green thumb, specializing in growing tomatoes, violets and other flowers. An avid reader despite her limited vision, she also enjoyed baking and music, especially country and western, and Elvis Presley. In 1997, Mrs. Eberle moved to Toms River, New Jersey, to live with her daughter, Paula. Ellen loved the ocean and sitting on the deck enjoying the outdoors. She returned to South Dakota in 2009, residing at the Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls until her death on Monday, October 17, 2011. Among Ellen's family members who survive and are blessed in having shared her life are daughters Kathy Eberle of Sioux Falls and Paula Vitakis of Toms River, NJ; 6 grandchildren, Travis Boterman, Heather (Denver) Fincher, Rebecca (Bryan) Wolf, Cody Schut, Steven Vitakis and Jason Vitakis; 5 great-grandchildren, Mariah Boterman, Tristin Fodness, Hunter Fincher, Katy Schut and Noah Fredericks; a sister, Beverly (Roy) Weeg of Newcastle, WY, and a brother, Dennis (Cheryl) Lounsbery of Beresford, SD; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in death by her parents, husband, daughter Pamela (Doug) Boterman, and her sister, Betty (Wayne) Newton. We will dearly remember Ellen's emotional strength, triumph over physical adversity, devotion to her family, capacity for forgiveness and her ability to tell "the best stories ever." Friends and relatives are invited to a prayer service and visitation with her family at 7 p.m. at the Wass Funeral Chapel in Centerville. A celebration of her life will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 21 at the Wass Funeral Chapel in Centerville, followed by a committal service at Riverside Cemetery, Centerville. Afterwards, a luncheon will be served at the American Legion Hall in Centerville. Donations in Ellen's name will be made to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Good Samaritan Society and Compassionate Care Hospice.