Eileen Fitzgerald

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, February 19, 2025
at the Kadoka Nursing Home at the age of 97

Eileen Myrtle Nelson was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on July 9,1927 to Clarence and Laura (Bond) Nelson. She was the oldest of four children.

She attended grade school in Minnesota and then moved to South Dakota in 1942. She graduated from Philip High School in 1946. She was chosen as Homecoming Queen which she was very proud of.

On September 12, 1948 she married Thomas Fitzgerald. To this union four children were born, Greg, David, Dean and Carla. They made their home in Milesville for forty years. They moved to Pierre and then returned home to Philip in 2007 prior to Tom's passing.

Eileen was a housewife and was very active in her community. She was a member of the Hardingrove Presbyterian Church and was very active in 4-H, Milesville Women's Club, several bridge clubs, the Senior Center in Pierre and Philip and the United Church in Philip.

Eileen is survived by her children, David Fitzgerald of Philip, Dean Fitzgerald and his wife Janice of Long Valley, Carla DeLeon and her husband Michael of Rapid City; her daughter in-law, Bonnie Fitzgerald of Philip; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, her brother: Arlie Nelson and wife Tari of Newcastle and sister-in-law Sharon Nelson of Bismarck.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her son, Greg; parents, Clarence and Laura Nelson; sister, Katy Drageset and brother, LeRoy Nelson.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, February 23, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Private interment will be held at the Milesville Cemetery.

Everyone is welcome to the Milesville Hall at 2 p.m. for coffee, cookies and a time of fellowship.

Cards and memorials may be mailed to P.O. Box 64 Philip, SD 57567.

Service Details

VISITATION
Sunday, February 23, 2025 - 5-7 p.m.
with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday, February 24, 2025 - 10:30 a.m.
United Church
Philip, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Pastor Kathy Chesney

MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Elizabeth Maloney - Vocalist
Congregational Hymn
“God Be With You Until We Meet Again”
Special Music
“Beyond the Sunset”
Nearer My God to Thee”

USHERS
Alan Rislov - Brock Smith

PALLBEARERS
All of Eileen’s Granddaughters:
Danielle Carlson - Stephanie Lyngstad - Brittany Smith
Elizabeth Maloney - Amanda Bair
Cassi Rislov - Abby Jones

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Eileen's Grandsons:
Shawn Fitzgerald - Jason Knutson
Andy Fitzgerald - Scott Fitzgerald - Dustin Hummel
All of Eileen’s Great-Grandchildren

PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
Milesville Cemetery
Milesville, South Dakota

Guest Book

Prayers from Grandpa Lee and Grandma Sharon's grandson Nick! May Eileen Rest In Peace! A life well lived!
   ~ Nick Nelson Bismarck ND (2/25/2025)

Flowers

Image
Bob, Jodi and Amayzie
Image
Border States
Image
City of Philip Staff and Council
Image
Milesville Womens Club
Image
Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Doug & Sandy Slovek Family Don, Lynette Klumb & Girls Eric & Sherry Hanson Family
Image
Jeff & Robyn Holcomb and Girls
Image
Family
Image
Family
Image
Dakota Country Pharmacy
Image
Bob and Jean Nash
Image
The Moses Family
Image
Friends at Interstates
Image
Brian & Heather Hanson Family
Image
The Smiths Mel & Beth, Melan, Tara & Jamey, Lana & Heath and Families
Image
Bruce and Sharon Barnett
Image
Boyd and Kara Wade, Marcy and family Andi, Heath and family Eric, Kayla and Family
Image
Kadoka Nursing Home Staff, Residents and Board of Directors