Nellie King, 77, of Mitchell, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2016, at her home.
Funeral services were Friday, Dec. 23, at the First United Methodist Church in Mitchell with burial in Graceland Cemetery at Fulton. Visitation was from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell.
Nellie LaVonne King was born Aug. 5, 1939, at home in Hanson County to Everett and Lena (Wolf) King. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. She attended schools in Hanson County and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1957. Nellie received her bachelor of arts in education in 1965 from Dakota Wesleyan University and her masters in 1973 from Augustana College, and taught elementary education in area schools for twenty years. Nellie worked for many years at the Town House Café, Lueken’s Bakery, and for sixteen years at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. She enjoyed putting up Christmas decorations for residents at Firesteel Nursing Home.
Nellie is survived by Mary Ellen Jepsen, longtime partner and friend; three brothers, Leo of Sioux Falls, Leonard (Maggie) of Apache Junction, Ariz., and Irvin (Jeanie) of Artesian; two sisters, Caroline (Ross) Lee of Mitchell, and Charlotte Nicholson of Artesian; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; niece, Michelle King; nephew, Wayne King; sister-in-law, Jessie King; and brother-in-law, Jerry Nicholson.