Norma Lavonn Schell was born to William and Blanche (Felton) Schell on July 20, 1933. She spent her childhood on a ranch near Elm Springs, SD, attended grade school at the North King School and graduated from New Underwood High School. She was the fourth child of a family of twelve.

On July 8, 1951, she married Richard Johnston and they lived on a ranch near Elm Springs, SD, where their seven children, Cheryl, Kay, Ginger, Dixie (deceased), Tammy, Rick, and Sam were all born.

She was very involved in the ranch operations while she focused on raising her kids. She always loved working with children. During this time she organized the Elm Springs Ranchers 4-H Club and was the leader for 17 years. In 1974 Norma moved to Wall. She worked as a cook in the school cafeteria during the day and the Cactus Cafe in the evening. In 1975 she married Warren Pellegrin and moved to Enning where she was a teacher’s aide, drove the school bus, and helped with ranch duties. In 1980, at the age of 48, she went to college at BHSU. She completed a bachelor’s degree in only two years. She taught in Meade County Rural Schools for over twenty years where she was fondly referred to as “Mrs. P”. She was awarded the Meade County Rural Schools Teacher of the Year in 1994 and Elm Springs Teacher of the Year in 1999. The highlight of her teaching career was when she returned “HOME” to Elm Springs, lived on the place where she raised her family and finished her teaching career at the Elm Springs School.

Upon retirement she moved to New Underwood. She bought a plot of bare land and put a house on it and created a beautiful yard full of trees and flower beds. She enjoyed working in her yard and garden. She loved attending her grandchildren’s numerous activities. During this time she continued to substitute teach and she volunteered at the New Underwood Good Samaritan Society. She often said, “I like to help out those old folks.”

She was a charter member of the Wasta Rebecca Lodge #196 and completed the duties of all the chairs. She was a member of the Elm Springs Church, Jolly Homemakers Extension Club, Meade County 4-H Secretary, Enning Community Club, Elm Springs Court Whist Club, Country Gals Red Hatters, and secretary of the New Underwood Alumni Association.

Her greatest love and joys in life were her children, grandchildren, and her wonderful teaching experiences. Her favorite quote is: “THE SOUL IS HEALED BY BEING WITH CHILDREN.”

She is survived by her children Cheryl (Terry) Hammerstrom, Kay Johnston, Ginger Johnston, Tammy Bills, Rick (Tina) Johnston, Sam (Cary) Johnston. Twenty three grandchildren, Chad (Juliana) Hammerstrom, Clint Hammerstrom, Tessa (Todd) Grabow, Tell Hammerstrom, Kane (Amber) Steen, Matt (Jamie) Steen, Jaeger Held, Rikki Held, Riley (Lacey) Walker, Tyler (Angela) Walker, Wyatt Bills, Keoni Bills, Echo (Justin) Veit, Shania (Toby) Johnston, Jeremy Mullens (Cinnamon’s husband), Vince (Amber) Herren, Kevon Herren, Kayla (Justin) Lent, Emily (Brandon) Dejong, Ryan Schlabach, Calder (Savanna) Johnston, Carson Johnston, Carlee (Matt) Nelson, Savana Johnston, 34 great grandchildren,1 great, great grandson, and sister Linda (Bill) Foss.

She was preceded in death by infant daughter Dixie Joan Johnston, granddaughters Sami Jo Allison Bills, and Cinnamon Timber (Johnston) Mullens. Son-in-law Roger Bills, Parents William and Blanche Schell, Ten siblings Wilma, Bob, Dean, Bill, Shirley, Carol, Jerry, Jay, Donnie, Kathy, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 5-7 with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, at the Community Center in New Underwood.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 27, at the Elm Springs Hall in Elm Springs with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.

Interment will follow at the Elm Springs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please direct money to the Sami Jo Pool in New Underwood or the Cinnamon Johnston Mullens memorial.