Aberdeen: The funeral service for Elaine Milbrandt, 94, of Aberdeen will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 4, 2013, at Zion Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. Pastor Marcia Sylvester will officiate.
Burial will be in Riverside Memorial Park.
Elaine returned peacefully to her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at Angelhaus in Aberdeen.
Visitation will be Sunday, March 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church.
Visitation will continue Monday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., in Aberdeen.
Elaine was born March 18, 1918, to Ira and Ida (Steffen) Rippleman of rural Aberdeen. She was baptized into the Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church in Aberdeen, where she remained a lifelong member. In 1935, she graduated from Westport Consolidated High School. Elaine went on to earn a teacher's certificate from Northern Normal and Industrial School, a two-year degree in elementary education from Northern State Teachers College and a bachelor of science in education from Northern State College.
On Sept. 17, 1941, Elaine was wed to Elmer Milbrandt of Westport. They lived many years at Tacoma Park and, subsequently, moved to Columbia, Bath and Aberdeen. In 1964, they moved to Elaine's family farm outside Westport, where she remained until the late 1990s, when she moved back to Aberdeen.
Elaine taught at a one-room school house in Lincoln School District. In 1963, she expanded her love of education and children as she began teaching elementary-level education at the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. During her 20 years there, she made a valuable and lasting impact to the lives of over 150 children with both visual and hearing challenges. Ironically, in her later years, she herself was rendered blind by macular degeneration.
Along with teaching, Elaine helped her husband with the farm chores. She and Elmer raised crops, gardens, chickens, ducks, geese, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, horses, donkeys, cats and dogs. The love of animals and flowers followed her throughout her life. One summer in Aberdeen, she grew over 10,000 gladiolas.
Elaine and Elmer enjoyed music. This love of music lead them to the Belles and Beaux Square Dance Club every weekend and included travels to conventions across the area. Elaine also enjoyed reading, sewing, butterflies, calligraphy and bells. At Zion Lutheran Church, she was a secretary for Ladies' Aid, taught Bible and Sunday school and was a circle president.
Elaine was a loving daughter, wife, mother, aunt, cousin, grandma, great-grandma, great-great-grandma and teacher.
Grateful for having shared her life are granddaughter, Wendy (Craig) Wayman, Fort Meade, Md.; grandson, Greg (Julie) Milbrandt, Groton, S.D.; her daughter-in-law, Nadine Milbrandt, Groton, S.D.; four great-grandchildren: Craig (Michele) Wayman II, Thurmont Md., Amanda Wayman, Mankato, Minn., Eric Milbrandt, Rapid City, S.D., and Jacob Milbrandt, Groton, S.D.; three great-great-grandchildren: Logan and Cash Lewis, Thurmont, Md., and Savannah Wayman, Jefferson, Ga.; her very dear cousin, Elva (John) Dirksen; and close personal friends, Joseph and Margie Embury, along with her many friends, family members and former students.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Ida Rippleman; her husband, Elmer; and her sons: Wayne and Marvin.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to North Plains Hospice, BrightFocus Foundation for Macular Degeneration Research or Zion Lutheran Church.
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