Official Obituary of
Ellsworth L. Brenden
August 14, 1930 ~ August 13, 2015 (age 84) 84 Years Old
Ellsworth Brenden Obituary
Ellsworth L. Brenden, age 84, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at a hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Watertown. Rev. Keith Petersen will officiate. Music will be provided by Karen Livingston as organist with congregational singing. The family is requested to meet at the church on Wednesday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service.
Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and in the church on Wednesday prior to services.
Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Ellsworth's granddaughters: Melissa Plucker, Kara Wills, Jenni White, Marcie Brenden, Lindsey Holmquest, and Caitlin Russell. Active pallbearers will be Ellsworth's grandsons: Chad Brenden, Michael Brenden, Christopher Brenden, Ryan Shelsta, Justin Elkins, Bryce Brenden, and Cole Brenden.
Ellsworth was born on August 14, 1930, in Vienna, SD, to Sigurd and Jennie (Jorgenson) Brenden. He was baptized and confirmed at Pleasant Lutheran Church in Vienna. Ellsworth grew up on the family farm and attended school in Pleasant County School and Fordham Township.
On December 3, 1948, Ellsworth married Genevieve Lambert at St. Martin's Parsonage in Watertown. He farmed until 1954, and then the couple moved to Watertown, where he was a warehouse foreman at Jordan Millwork. Ellsworth then worked at the Watertown School District until his retirement in 1993.
He was a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Watertown. Ellsworth enjoyed playing solitaire and pinochle, and especially enjoyed spending time with family and his many grandkids.
Ellsworth is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Genevieve, of Watertown; three sons: Charles (Susan) Brenden, of Sioux Falls, Steven (Sue) Brenden, of Rapid City, SD, and Timothy Brenden, of Watertown; two daughters: Carol Shelsta, of Lee's Summit, MO, and Janet (Jeff) Elkins, of Watertown; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law: Melvin Lambert, of Lake Havasu, AZ, and Robert Forest, of Clark, SD; five sisters-in-law: Florine Brenden, of OR, Mavis Brenden, of Watertown, Barb Brenden, Florence Brenden, and Shirley Brenden, all of Clark; and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter Sherlyn Brenden; one son-in-law, Randy Shelsta; six brothers: Melford, Ivan, O'Dean, Lyle, Larry, and Dick; and five sisters: Juliet, Arlene, Doris, Ruby, and Inez.
When: August 18, 2015 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
When: August 19, 2015 10:30am
Location: St. Martin's Lutheran Church
Address: 1200 2nd St. NE Watertown, SD 57201
Visitation will be at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and in the church on Wednesday prior to services.
Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Honorary pallbearers will be Ellsworth's granddaughters: Melissa Plucker, Kara Wills, Jenni White, Marcie Brenden, Lindsey Holmquest, and Caitlin Russell. Active pallbearers will be Ellsworth's grandsons: Chad Brenden, Michael Brenden, Christopher Brenden, Ryan Shelsta, Justin Elkins, Bryce Brenden, and Cole Brenden.
Ellsworth was born on August 14, 1930, in Vienna, SD, to Sigurd and Jennie (Jorgenson) Brenden. He was baptized and confirmed at Pleasant Lutheran Church in Vienna. Ellsworth grew up on the family farm and attended school in Pleasant County School and Fordham Township.
On December 3, 1948, Ellsworth married Genevieve Lambert at St. Martin's Parsonage in Watertown. He farmed until 1954, and then the couple moved to Watertown, where he was a warehouse foreman at Jordan Millwork. Ellsworth then worked at the Watertown School District until his retirement in 1993.
He was a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Watertown. Ellsworth enjoyed playing solitaire and pinochle, and especially enjoyed spending time with family and his many grandkids.
Ellsworth is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Genevieve, of Watertown; three sons: Charles (Susan) Brenden, of Sioux Falls, Steven (Sue) Brenden, of Rapid City, SD, and Timothy Brenden, of Watertown; two daughters: Carol Shelsta, of Lee's Summit, MO, and Janet (Jeff) Elkins, of Watertown; 11 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two brothers-in-law: Melvin Lambert, of Lake Havasu, AZ, and Robert Forest, of Clark, SD; five sisters-in-law: Florine Brenden, of OR, Mavis Brenden, of Watertown, Barb Brenden, Florence Brenden, and Shirley Brenden, all of Clark; and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter Sherlyn Brenden; one son-in-law, Randy Shelsta; six brothers: Melford, Ivan, O'Dean, Lyle, Larry, and Dick; and five sisters: Juliet, Arlene, Doris, Ruby, and Inez.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: August 18, 2015 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel
Address: 208 3rd St SW De Smet SD SD 57231
Service
When: August 19, 2015 10:30am
Location: St. Martin's Lutheran Church
Address: 1200 2nd St. NE Watertown, SD 57201
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In Loving Memory Of
Ellsworth Brenden
August 14, 1930-August 13, 2015
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