Shila Oberembt

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Friday, December 4, 2009
in Helena, Montana, following a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 85

Shila Jerrene Ellis was born February 22, 1924 the second child to Helmer and Evelyn (McKim) Ellis in Brookings, SD. Shila graduated from high school in Midland, SD in 1942. During World War II, Shila contributed to the war effort by working as a welder.

On February 12, 1944 she married James Oberembt in Liberal, KS. Shila and James made their home in Montana in 1948. Together they raised three children. In 1979, they divorced and she returned to Midland where she enjoyed being active in community services. She spent her last years with her children in Helena who knew her as a wonderful mother and grandmother.

During her life she worked as a telephone operator in Vermillion, SD, Great Falls and Helena. She was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She had a beautiful voice and loved singing with her brothers and sisters accompanied by her mother on the piano. In 1942, at the Music Festival in Pierre, SD she performed the finale in recognition of her accomplishment as one of five finalists. She sang with the Helena Mountain Bell Telephone Choir, loved to jitterbug, and performed a tango in a play at the Old Brewery Theater. She had many hobbies including ceramics, crochet, and embroidery. Another creative talent she explored was composing poetry. Shila wrote about many things she loved including her faith, Christmas, her hometown, patriotism, and the Black Hills. Growing up she and her family watched the construction of Mount Rushmore during the summer months and later wrote an award winning poem about it. She published numerous poems and a low cholesterol cookbook.

Shila is survived by daughters Marcia (Larry) Massa of Bellflower, CA, and Anita (Terry) Teichrow; one son Jim Oberembt (Colleen Coulter) of Helena; two sisters Aldene Towne and Sandra Kay (Bill) Johnson of Mesa, AZ; two brothers Alfred Ellis of Oakhurst, CA and Sanford Ellis of Mesa, AZ; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Shila is preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Allen Towne and sisters-in-law Jackie and Barbara Ellis.

Visitation was held from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, December 7, at Retz Funeral Home. A service will be held 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at First Lutheran Church in Helena, MT. 

Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. CST on December 11, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Midland, with Pastor Glenn Denke officiating.
Visitation was held two hours prior to the services at the church.

Interment was at the Midland Cemetery. 
 
A reception followed the cemetery services at Just Tammy's cafe in Midland.

Memorials can be made to the Cancer Treatment Center in care of St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway Helena, MT 59601 or to the Lutheran Hour Ministries 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St Louis, MO 63141-8557.

Service Details

Funeral services: 2:00 p.m. CST on December 11, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church south of Midland.
interment: Midland Cemetery.

Guest Book

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Shila was my neighbor for many years - couldn't have asked for a nicer neighbor! Many good memories of Shila.
   ~ Michelle (Hunt) Meinzer Midland (12/4/2009)
I have alot of great memories of Shila from when we lived next door to her in the Midland apartments when I was a little girl. She always let me come over and hang out with her for the day and occassionaly she'd take me with her across the hall to visit Linda Anderson. My favorite thing to do at Shila's was 'play' her organ and press all the colored keys that changed the sounds. It's been so long ago, but I still remember. She was a great lady.
   ~ Courtney Hunt 522 Pearl St. Kemmerer, WY 83101 (12/4/2009)
My prayers go out to Shila's family. Shila lived in the apartments near us when I was a young kid. She was such a sweet lady! I have so many fond memories of her. Cherish the good times!
   ~ Renee Schofield Kadoka (12/4/2009)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time. I remember so many years ago when Courtney and I used to visit Shila almost daily! My favorite memory is that we always used to want to cook so we would make butter sandwiches and take them over to her and she was such a sport she would eat them with us! Truly a wonderful woman who gave me many memories as a child.
   ~ Jenna Tolton San Antonio, TX (12/4/2009)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Shila was such a great lady. She gave me piano lessons when I was a little girl. She had a special way with little children and I will keep her in my memories.
   ~ Mary Ravellette Philip, SD (12/4/2009)
Shila was a wonderful person. She gave me piano lessons when I was little. God Bless in your time of loss.
   ~ Kathy Larson LaDue Anamosa, IA (12/4/2009)