Elaine Marie O'Donnell, age 78 of Lemmon, passed away Sunday July 22, 2007 at St. Mary's HealthCare Center in Pierre, surrounded by her family. Elaine succumbed to cancer after a seven year battle.


The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM Friday, July 27 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morristown, with Rev. Brian Fawcett officiating. Visitation will be held July 26 1 – 5:30 PM at Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon. Rosary service will be held Thursday evening Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morristown beginning at 7 PM. Interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Morristown. A memorial has been established.


Serving as casketbearers are Jerry and Lee Tomac, Jim, Tim, and John Uhrig, Tom Wagner. All of Elaine's grandchildren are considered honorary beaers.


Elaine Marie (Sis) Uhrig was born September 3, 1928 in Paradise community of Sioux County, North Dakota to Myron S. Uhrig and Bertha Anna Bockorny. Elaine attended country school at Cedar School north of Watauga, finishing eighth grade at Morristown. She spent her early years caring for her younger brothers and sisters and hiring out for work to help the family make ends meet.


Elaine married Robert T. O'Donnell on June 12, 1951 at Morristown. Elaine and Robert shared two sons, Charles and Robert Jr. Elaine was widowed in 1952 shortly after the birth of their son Robert. Elaine married Louis Roger (Bud) O'Donnell on February 14, 1956 in Buffalo, South Dakota. To this union four daughters were born, Rita, Debra, Michelle and Mary Lucille. Most of her married years were spent on their ranch south of Morristown. She enjoyed baking, cake decorating, sewing, crocheting, gardening, raising her children and hosting family gatherings. She held fond memories of Sunday afternoon family horseback outings.


Elaine moved to Lemmon and held several jobs in the following years while her children were attending school. She was most known for her work at the bakery and her cake decorating talents. She enjoyed many years as concessionaire for the Highland View Stockdog Trial, auctions and community events in the area.


Elaine was known by many as "Grandma Sis". The highlight in her life has been her grandchildren and great-grandchildren especially their mischievous nature. There is nothing Elaine liked better than a good joke, unless it was a good prank. She is most noted for her quick smile and a word or two to anyone she would meet along the way.


Surviving family members include her husband, Louis, "Bud", Lemmon, SD; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Nita O'Donnell, Keldron, SD; 2 daughters and 1 son-in-law, Rita Wagner, Pierre, SD; Deb and Keith Gebhart, Onida, SD; 13 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; 4 brothers and 4 sisters-in-law, Elton and Aggie Uhrig, Lead, SD; Jim and Marlene Uhrig, Pierre, SD; Bill Uhrig, Sidney, NE; Alfred "Skeeze" Uhrig, Morristown, SD; Sarah Uhrig, in California; Dolly Uhrig, Phillip, SD; 1 sister and 1 brother-in-law, Joan Sharp, Spearfish, SD; Larry Licking, Camp Crook, SD.


She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert T. O'Donnell; 2 daughters, Michelle O'Donnell in 1998; Mary Lucille O'Donnell in infancy; 1 son and daughter-in-law, Charles "Chuck" and Peggy Richter; 1 infant grandson, Ryan Scott Gebhart; 4 brothers, Ed, John, Mike, and Henry "Hank" Uhrig; 2 sisters, Myra "Baby" Licking; and Shirlene "Toots" Piekkola.


Visitation will be Thursday 1:00 to 5:30pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and on Friday one hour prior to services at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Morristown.