Luella (Stene) Holthe was born July 31, 1918 to Ole and Lily (Jamtgaard) Stene in rural Union County, South Dakota and passed away December 17, 2016 at 98 years. She graduated from Starr School. After finishing school, a number of families used her homemaking skills as she worked around Union County.

She met her future husband (Oscar Holthe) at a dance, and they later married on February 4, 1939 at the Roseni Lutheran Church parsonage. She and Oscar farmed north of Spink, SD for over 40 years before retiring to Alcester in 1979. Luella milked, tended a large garden, raised chickens, and partnered with her husband in all farm activities. She was known for being a great cook (especially her pies and bread), homemaker, and seamstress – sewing for her children, grandchildren, and for herself. At the time of her death, she still wore outfits that she had sewn herself. Oscar passed away in 1987.

As a resident of Alcester, Luella became a volunteer and received many honors for serving as a volunteer at Morningside Manor, the Senior Center, Meals on Wheels, Dakota Diner, VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, and RSVP. She was also a member of the Quilting Guild at church, Nite and Gals, and the Norwegian Birthday Club. Luella was a long-time member of Roseni, and now Nathanael Lutheran.

Those left who knew her love and loyalty are her sons: Ronald and Barbara Holthe of Logan, IA, Marvin Holthe of Sioux Falls, and Richard Holthe of Independence, MO; and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Christopher Holthe (Nate, Andrew) of Independence, MO, Jennifer Holthe (Mindy) of Vermillion, Katie Holthe (Lily, Tristian) of Independence, MO, Todd Holthe (Shaylee) of Sioux Falls, Michael Vanbeek of Sioux Falls, Wendy and Jeramie Lohan (Kaitlyn, Nicholas, Zachariah) of Sioux Falls, Lisa Vanbeek and Sean Gleason of West Pueblo, CO, Jonathan and Kelli Holthe (Bria, Emmy) of Muscatine, IA, Sarah Holthe of Irwin, IA, and Serena Holthe and Roscoe Jones, Jr. of Washington, DC. Luella is also survived by her sisters: Doris and Jack Hamilton of Sioux Falls and Beverly Huey of Apache Junction, AZ. She will be missed by many cousins, nieces, and nephews, as well as friends.

Her parents, husband Oscar, and siblings Owen Stene, Eldo (Lovalice) Stene, Mildred (Ladelle) Briggle, Vivian (Don) Albers, Norma (Don) Sundby, and Bob Huey preceded her in death.