Elaine Dougherty, 90, of Mitchell, SD, died Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. A visitation will be held Wednesday, March 22, from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Burial will be at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.
Elaine Ellen Dougherty was born September 21, 1932, in Mitchell, SD to Fred and Elizabeth Hendricksen.
She graduated from Mitchell High School and received her RN degree from the Methodist School of Nursing in Mitchell. Elaine spent her entire nursing career at Methodist Hospital in Mitchell. Elaine married Robert Dougherty on January 5, 1953. Elaine also attended Mitchell Vocational Technical School to pursue a talent in cake decorating.
Elaine and Robert loved to go camping, especially in the Black Hills. Family was everything to Elaine and many summer vacations were spent visiting them on family camping trips to the West Coast. Elaine was very talented at baking, and eventually ran a side business making and decorating cakes. Many people in Mitchell had their birthday or wedding cake from Elaine’s kitchen. Her most proud accomplishment was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to family that all knew her as their Hummy.
Elaine is survived by her daughter, Janet (Ron) Bainbridge, Mitchell, SD; sons, James (Mary) Dougherty, Des Moines, IA, Jeff (Stacy) Dougherty, Sioux Falls, SD, and Jon (Judy) Dougherty, Sutherland, IA; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren, Brittany and Thomas.
Our deepest sympathies & prayers.