Rush Funeral Home Logo
Logo Image
(605) 859-2400 You can call us 24/7
Newsletter Get new obituaries by email
Search Search through the obituaries




Print Obituary

In memory of

Elaine Williams

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Friday, September 30, 2005 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City at the age of 73

Elaine Pfeifer was born June 14, 1932, in Philip, South Dakota, the daughter of Lawrence and Marie (Hanson) Pfeifer.

She grew up and received her education in the Philip area, attending country schools and graduating from Philip High School in 1950.

Elaine was united in marriage to James R. Williams on August 29, 1950 in Philip. While Jim was in the Korean War, Elaine lived in Philip and worked at the Red Owl Grocery Store and later at the REA office. When Jim returned from the service, they made their home in the Milesville area until 1980, when they moved to Philip, where they have since resided.

While in Milesville, Elaine was a member of the Milesville Women's Club, Four-Table Bridge Club, St. Mary's Catholic Church and Altar Society, and was a 4-H leader for many years.

After moving to Philip, Elaine worked at Baker’s Four Seasons store, and also was the Circuit Court Bailiff.

Elaine was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Evening Guild, the Badlands Quilters, the American Legion Auxiliary, CCD Coordinator, and religion teacher.

She enjoyed playing cards, sewing, cooking, gardening, dancing, and sitting on the porch.

Grateful for having shared her life include her husband Jim Williams of Philip; two daughters Delia Harty and her husband Hugh of Philip, and Jane Aasby and her husband Tom of Rapid City; a son, Peter Williams of Ellicott, Colorado; three grandchildren, Moneik Harty of Black Hawk, Jim and Ed Harty of Piedmont; five brothers, George Pfeifer and his wife Donna of St. Maries, Idaho, Larry Pfeifer and his wife Helen of Philip, Leo Pfeifer and his wife Janet of Lynnwood, Washington, Roy Pfeifer and his wife Margaret of Philip, and Robert Pfeifer of Philip; a sister Ella Mae Ketchum of Washington; a sister-in-law Violet Pfeifer of Highmore; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents and a brother Melvin Pfeifer.

Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 4, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Ron Garry as celebrant.

Interment will be in the Masonic Cemetery, Philip.

A memorial is established.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, October 4, 2005 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Ron Garry

MUSIC
Maureen Palecek
"On Eagles’ Wings"
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand"
O Sacrament Most Holy"
"Amazing Grace"

LECTOR
Rita O’Connell

ALTAR SERVERS
Troy Guptill – Tate Guptill

USHERS
Chuck O’Connor – Bruce Kroetch

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Boyd Parsons, Jr. – Earl Parsons
Dean Fitzgerald – Jim Bob Eymer
Jim Elshere – Glen Radway

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Elaine’s Card Playing Friends

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, October 4, 2005 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

  • So sorry to hear of Elaine's passing. We only saw her a few times because of the distance between us. She will be in my prayers. ~ Roberta Bouder & Family (Elaine's First Cousin) 2085 Shaaron Dr., Lancaster, PA (9/30/2005)
  • We wish to extend our condolences to the family of Aunt Elaine. I am so happy that I was able to stop and visit with her and Uncle Jim in November of 2004. She will be missed by all of those that were blessed to have known her. Love to the family. Linda and Roy ~ Roy & Linda Dean 4716 46th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116 (9/30/2005)
  • I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to all of your family. ~ Kay Foland Rapid City, SD (9/30/2005)
  • I would like to extend my sympathy to Jim and family. The passing of Elaine is a huge loss I send my regrets. Sincerely, Bill ~ William Bielmaier Wall, SD (9/30/2005)
  • Aunt Elaine will live in our hearts forever. Please know at this difficult time you are in our thoughts and prayers. With sympathy,
    Anna and Mike     ~ Anna & Mike Marchi 2003 149th ST SW, Lynnwood, WA 98087 (9/30/2005)
  • Jim ~ Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. God's blessings to all of you. ~ John & Tonya Kramer Philip, SD (9/30/2005)
  • We were very sorry to receive notification that Elaine had passed away. I have fond memories of Elaine when we were kids and I lived in Mitchell, SD. I am glad I made it to the Hanson Family reunion in the Black Hills two years ago and got to see many of the relations I grew up with. Unfortunately, we have lost too many since then. Our thoughts are with you.
    Sincerely, Ron & Reva     ~ Ron and Reva Robinson 229 Pinetree Lane, Richland, WA 99352 (9/30/2005)
  • Moneik, our prayers are with you and your family we know how much you loved your grand mother best wishes to our SD angel ~ Neil and Joan Agrasto Baldwinsville, NY (9/30/2005)
  • I am deeply saddened to hear of Elaine's death. My deepest sympathy to all her family. You will be in my prayers. May God keep you in His loving and tender arms.
    Love, Your Cousin - Mary Howe     ~ Fred and Mary Howe 1420 Kennedy Dr., Kirkland, IL 60146 (9/30/2005)
  • We were so sorry to hear of the loss of Elaine. Our family greatly appreciated the kind acts of "neighboring" that Jim and Elaine always bestowed on our grandmother, Leona Hamill, who lived across the street from the Williams home. It is very hard to lose those matriarchs in the family-they are truly the glue that keeps it all together. Our kindest regards to all the family as you remember someone so dear. Many people will be holding Elaine and her family in their prayers. ~ The Hamill Family Milesville, SD (9/30/2005)
  • Dear Williams Family, we are so sad to hear about your wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother's untimely passing. We enjoyed her company the many times our family came back to Philip to visit. Now we share in your grief but know that you and your entire family are in our prayers. God bless you, God bless your family, and God bless Elaine and her memory. ~ Robert, Lily, Hannah, & Isaac Sipe 1417 18th Ave. CT SW, Puyallup, WA 98371 (9/30/2005)