Eldeen Stekl

Dates

March 29, 1935 - April 9, 2025

Obituary

Eldeen Stekl, 90, of Mitchell, SD, died peacefully Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after a brief illness. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, April 14, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Burial will be in Butler Cemetery in rural Letcher, SD. Visitation will be Sunday, April 13 from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Eldeen Faye Stekl was born in rural Storla on the family farm on March 29, 1935, to Leonard and Edna (Bibler) Anderson. She graduated from Letcher High School.

Eldeen married Duane Stekl on June 8, 1952 at Storla. After several years of working on the farm near Letcher and raising children, Eldeen pursued a career in healthcare and worked as a registered nurse for many years at the hospital in Mitchell.

Eldeen loved spending time with her family, attending ballgames, golfing, enjoying an occasional glass of wine, playing cards and traveling with friends, going to the Moose, and just laughing and enjoying life to the fullest.

She is survived by her four children, Lynette (Hans) Reime, Hoquiam, WA, Coly (Bob) Blake, Wessington, SD, Wes (Sherri) Stekl, Letcher, SD, and Allen “Tig” (Joan) Stekl, Lennox, SD; sisters, Corrine Larson and Thelma Tastad, both of Mitchell, SD; grandchildren: Joel Beraldi, Lisha Beraldi Schnoor, Nicole Beraldi Kastern, Toby Moody, Tera Moody Cuka, Brett Stekl, Kurt Stekl, Todd Stekl, Christian Stekl, and Caleb Stekl; and 15 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Duane Stekl; infant daughter, Connie; brother, Archie (Kathleen) Anderson; sister, Elaine (Lowell) Kane; and brothers-in-law, Lavern Larson and Ervin Tastad.

Visitation(s)

Date
Sunday, April 13, 2025

Time
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location
Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Service

Date
Monday, April 14, 2025

Time
10:30 AM

Location
Trinity Lutheran Church
1400 E 2nd Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Butler Cemetery
Rural Letcher, SD

Posted by Tama Backlund on April 16, 2025

I am very sorry for you loss, Lynette, Coly, Wes and Allen “Tig”. Eldeen was a hard working woman. A role model for all - made her daughter’s clothing - a great seamstress; was at all her children’s school events; became a nontraditional nursing student; had the energy that people her age (for many years) were in awe of; made multitudes smile with her great smile and had the most contagious laugh of any person I know. That laugh brightened my day - many days. I know the ‘Stekl’ children and their children - have been given the gift of Elden’s love to carry with them forever. Gods bless you all.

Posted by Lori Herman on April 16, 2025

So sorry to hear of Worsens passing. We grew up down the road from the family.I remember having mutton roasts and chili n oyster stew " still can't do the oyster stew". Always loved her laugh and the smile on her face. Thoughts and prayers to the families she will be missed .

Posted by Bobbi Weber on April 15, 2025

My deepest sympathy and my thoughts and prayers are with all of the families. She always brightened my day at work, she was a very special lady.

Posted by Phyllis Simpson on April 15, 2025

SO SORRY TO LEARM OF THE PASSING OF ELDEEN-JUST PLAYED BRIDGE WITH HER A FEW WEKS AGO! A GREAT LADY WITH A BIG LAUGH WIL BE MISSED. MY SYMPAYHY TO HER FAMILY

Posted by Al & Barb DeLange on April 14, 2025

We were so surprised to see of Eldeen’s death. She will be missed for her contagious laughter & friendliness. .Thinking of Corrine & Thelma at this sad time. Sorry that we were out of town

Posted by Curtis Parce on April 14, 2025

We will all miss you Eldeen, love you a lot

Posted by Kay Schoenfelder on April 14, 2025

So sorry to hear of your Mother’s death. Sending many prayers. Worked with her at Avera. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Posted by Mark Phillips on April 13, 2025

We lived very near their farmstead across the road. I babysat their girls when I was in high school. Elden was always personable & outgoing. I remember one summer I helped her herd her flock of geese from their place to a farmstead a mile south- quite an interesting endeavor.. I left South Dakota after college but once when I was visiting my parents in Mitchell, maybe ten years ago, I called Elden & we met for lunch. She was quite the classy lady.

Posted by Garry and Jo Freier on April 13, 2025

To Eldeen's family, our deepest sympathies in her passing. She was such a vibrant lady and provided us with some wonderful memories throughout the years. When I think of her I hear her joyful laughter. She will be sorely missed by all who loved her.

Posted by Trish Moore on April 13, 2025

Beautiful special with so much energy and laughter. Deepest condolences to her family

Posted by Richard Stedman on April 13, 2025

My Heartfelt Sympathy to the Family.
May the Lord be with you all.

Posted by Mark and Kathy Swenson on April 13, 2025

We were so sad to hear of Eldeens passing. Playing bunco with her was such a hoot. She was always ready with a smile when you saw her. We will miss her and her big laugh. Our sympathy to everyone in the family.

Posted by Larry Zimmerman on April 12, 2025

I met her and Dick at basketball games even traveled to a game on the bus with them. I’ve always saved a seat for her to sit in front of me because she was short than my wife could see over her doesn’t seem that long ago we visited at the last basketball game sorry for her loss. She will be missed. She was a sports fan save

Posted by Barb and Larry Zimmerman on April 12, 2025

So sorry for your lost she was a beautiful woman she sat by us at the ballgames she we’ll be so missed 🙏❤️💐

Posted by Dawn and Joe Dewry on April 12, 2025

So sorry for your loss our thoughts are with you.

Posted by Dawn and Joe Dewry on April 12, 2025

So sorry for your loss our thoughts are with you.

Posted by Maurine Uhre on April 12, 2025

I remember her as being friiends with Dale and Hazel Ruml. Always remember her laugh and seeing her on Wednesday nights at the Moose with Dick

Posted by Evalou Ligtenberg on April 11, 2025

My sincere Sympathy to the family.

Posted by Tracy Christensen on April 11, 2025

My thoughts are with all of you! I have many memories of interactions with her all throughout my life....and always laughter was involved! May happy memories fill your hearts as you grieve her passing.

Posted by Kayla Page on April 11, 2025

Sorry for your loss! I'm going to miss her!

Posted by Barb Meier on April 11, 2025

Sorry to hear of Elden’s passing, deepest sympathy to her family. She was such a wonderful human being, beautiful contagious smile. Was glad to have known her.

Posted by Linda Moody Bruce on April 11, 2025

I’m so sorry to hear of Elden’s passing. She was a hoot. She would sew up a storm to make grade school cheerleading uniforms and she was always fun to be around.
She always had a big smile and a hug whenever I saw her.
Deepest sympathy to Lynette, Coly, Wes and Tig (and all the grandkids!) She will be missed.

Posted by Brian Loken on April 11, 2025

Eldeen was such a bright light - we will miss her joy at Trinity!

Posted by Paula Schnabel on April 11, 2025

thoughts and Prayers for your loss. Eldeen had a contagious smile and laugh. will miss seeing her at all the DWU and Kernels games, cheering them on!

Posted by Lois and Chuck Paulson on April 11, 2025

What a shock to read of Eldeen’s passing! She was a great lady and neighbor! We will miss her laugh and sunny outlook!
Sympathy to her family.

Posted by Ken & Pat Skinner on April 11, 2025

So sorry for your loss. May God be with you and give you His comfort and peace.

Posted by Dianne and Dave Selchert on April 10, 2025

So sorry for your loss. It’s hard to lose your mom, but she lives on in you! Take comfort in your memories and in your knowledge that she is in heaven where there’s only love!

Posted by Sarah Sebert on April 10, 2025

Eldeen was one of my biggest fans! She was always loved watching DWU cheer and dance team and her smile was always contagious! She will always hold a special place in my heart:)

Posted by Melody Kahle Littau on April 10, 2025

Oh the memories! I remember mom and dad playing cards with Eldeen and Duane. Mom and Eldeen butchered chickens together. Eldeen helped mom fix Holly’s head when I tried to throw a rock over her. We helped work cattle, hunted, played with all their kids, and ran around each other’s farms and houses. We even had an outhouse named Old Eldeen. Her snort that would make everyone start laughing again is a winner! I love you, Eldeen, Tig, Wes, Coly, and Lynette! You are a gem of a family.

Posted by Bob and Sandy Marler on April 10, 2025

So sorry for the loss of Eldeen. A wonderful lady who always has a smile for us. She will be a loss to the Letcher/Mitchell community.

Posted by Jennifer Chance on April 10, 2025

I have the same story about Eldeen as Tyler. When I was two years old I fell and broke my leg. My dad was gone with the car, so my mom had Eldeen take her and I to the doctor. Eldeen was always ready to do anything to help . She always greeted people with a smile and a hug. She had such a big laugh you could tell she was there even if you hadn’t seen. I could always count on Eldeen to lift my spirits when I was down. Eldeen used her talents to paint fingernails for nursing home residents. She lifted spirits for many residents. She loved and cared for family and friends alike. Eldeen will definitely be missed by all.

Posted by Tyler Ehlers on April 10, 2025

Eldeen was one of my favorite people. When I broke my arm as a kid, she was the one who drove to school to take me to the hospital because nobody was able to get a hold of my dad (pre-cell phone). She had just gotten home from working at the hospital to deliver me back to the hospital and wait with me until my parents were there. She always had a great smile that lit up a room, a HUGE hug for everyone, and a sincere love for friends and family! I will miss her.

Posted by Dennis n Donna Morgan on April 10, 2025

Our thoughts and prayers to your families. She was a neat lady and will be missed .

Posted by Cindy Auch on April 10, 2025

Deepest sympathies to all the families. Eldeen was such a wonderful lady! Always a smile & a Hi! She will be missed by so many! Hugs & prayers for all of you! 🌸💕

Posted by Donna Murtha on April 10, 2025

So sorry for your loss we will miss her in our group

Posted by Teri ( Wenz) Dyar on April 10, 2025

So sorry to hear of Eldeen's passing. Will also miss her contagious giggle and smile. Keeping you and the Stekl family in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by Dean and Lorra Wenz on April 10, 2025

So very sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort and peace in this difficult time 🙏🙏

Posted by Kelly Kahle Northrup on April 10, 2025

Awe, I am so sorry to hear of Eldeen’s passing. Lynette, Coly, Wes and Tig, and families, please know you are all in my thoughts. Lots of wonderful memories of Eldeen and time spent with all of you. Memories will help you through this trying time. RIP Eldeen ❤️

Posted by Nancy Kelly on April 10, 2025

Eldeen was a very close friend of my Mom’s. I have SO many wonderful memories of Eldeen & she ALWAYS gave me a BIG HUG & loud giggle when she saw me-made my day!!! Hugs & prayers to Lynette, Coly, Wes & Tig and all family & friends!! Was so happy you had a wonderful 90th birthday celebration for her, may she RIP but I’m sure gonna miss her & that giggle!!!❤️❤️🙏🙏