Luella "Elaine" Wathier, 84, of Centerville, SD, passed away on Friday, May 6th, 2016 at the Avera Sister James Care Center in Yankton, SD.  Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 12th, 2016 at the Wass Funeral Home in Centerville, SD.  Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Elaine was born in Centerville, SD to Roy and Pauline (Tieman) Gruntman on June 9th, 1931.  When she was two months old her family moved to Stewardson, IL.  Elaine had three sisters and one brother.  Their father died in an accident when Elaine was four years of age.  The family moved back to Centerville when she was fourteen years of age.  She married Sebastian Wathier on February 25th, 1950, at age nineteen.  They lived on a farm near Centerville and raised their seven children.

In 1977 Elaine went to work for Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg, SD.  During her employment there she worked as a housekeeper, a cook and a horticulturist.  She tended the plants and flowers throughout the facility for many years.  Elaine was also active in several local clubs for many years, including serving as President of the Centerville Garden Club.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Sebastian, one sister, June Hult, and a nephew, Jim Hult.

Elaine is survived by her seven children, Susan (Phillip Brant), Keven (Pollie Parker), Amy Freeburg (Gary), George (Connie), Steven (Sandy), Kenten (Peggy) and Jeanne Hagenbuch (Paul).  She is also survived five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  Two of Elaine's sisters, Lucille Malmquist and May Wirth (Arthur), and her brother, Ray Gruntman, survive her.  Many nieces and nephews survive her as well.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Avera Sister James Care Center/Eden Fund, 2111 W. 11th St., Yankton, SD 57078.