Evelyn (McKim) Ellis was born February 2, 1900, in Deloit, Iowa, the daughter of William LeRoy and Margaret (Talcott) McKim.

Evelyn studied piano throughout her childhood.  She futhered her education at the State Normal School in Springfield, South Dakota, in 1919 and later Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish.

She married Helmer S. Ellis on September 4, 1919, in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota.  They lived in Brookings where Helmer attended college.  He pursued a career in animal husbandry.  After graduation, they moved to a farm north of Sturgis, where they remained from 1925 until 1930, at which time they came to manage the Midland Cafe for Evelyn's mother, Margaret "Maggie" McKim.

Evelyn was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Ruth Circle.  She had an abiding interest and membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and Colonial War Daughters.  She was the author of a booklet entitled, "Wendt".
She was an accomplished pianist and only recently ceased playing because of infirmity.  She remained in her home until October 7th, when she was hospitalized from a fall.

Grateful for having shared her life are her two sons, Alfred R. Ellis and his wife, Jackie, of Oak Hurst, California, and Sanford M. Ellis and his wife, Barbara, of Tucson, Arizona; three daughters, Aldene G. Towne and her husband, Allen, of Ft. Pierre, Shila J. (Ellis) Oberembt of Midland, and Sandra K. Johnson and her husband, Bill, of Gilbert, Arizona; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Ruth Nash of Ft. Pierre; three nieces; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband, Helmer Ellis, she was preceded in death by an infant son; her parents; and a brother, Ronald McKim.

A memorial is established in Evelyn's name with the Emergency Medical Technicians, P.O. Box 25, Midland, South Dakota  57552-0025.

Services
Tuesday, October 21, 1997
10:00 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Midland, South Dakota

Officiating
Pastor Martin Osterloh

Music
Bob Sheeley - Organist
Jessica Dale - Vocalist
"In the Garden"

Ushers
George Stroppel - Linda Farries

Active Pallbearers
Michael Towne - Steve Ekren
Kelly Gerdon - Larry Massa
James Oberembt - Terry Teichrow

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota