Toots Ellison, age 77, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Thursday morning, January 30, 2020 at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD.

A family service for Toots will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 3, 2020, followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. all at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Lemmon, SD.  Pastor Mary Peterson will officiate and per Toot's wishes, following the funeral service, cremation will take place and burial will be at a later date.

Visitation will be on Sunday, February 2, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.

Serving as Honorary Casketbearers are her great grandchildren and all of Toot's relatives and friends.  Serving as Active Casketbearers are her grandchildren.

Erna L. Hintz "Toots" was born on March 31, 1942 to Reinhold and Lydia (Wegner) Hintz.  She was the second of six children.  She attended school in New Leipzig, ND and was raised on the family farm North of New Leipzig.

Toots met Darrel Ellison at a dance in Elgin, ND and was united in marriage to him on June 5, 1960 in New Leipzig, ND.  Two children were born Bryan in 1961 and Stacy in 1964.

Toots worked at the Bank of Lemmon, Serenity Inn, Kulman Motel, and Antelope Lanes Café.  She then spent many years as a homemaker.

Toots had a love for her flowers and garden.  You would find her in the yard planting or pruning flowers on any spring/summer day.  She took pride in her beautiful yard and won yard of the week many times. She was an avid bowler in her earlier days competing in many tournaments with the ladies.  She enjoyed a good card game, coffee with the ladies, shopping for new blouses, and kicking up her heels on the dance floor.  She was talented at crocheting and enjoyed making homemade crafts.  She participated in many art and craft shows over the years.  She loved spending time with her family.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would always put a smile on her face.

Toots moved into Five Counties Nursing Home in November of 2019 after multiple health issues.  She enjoyed her time there visiting with other residents and staff.

Grateful for sharing her in life are her loving husband of 59 years, Darrel Ellison; daughter, Stacy (Mitchell) Daley of Lemmon, SD; son, Bryan (Cherie) Ellison of Bismarck, ND; one brother, Dave Hintz of Lemmon, SD; two sisters, Kathy Hintz of Bismarck, ND and Donna (Billy) Wruck of New Leipzig, ND; 9 grandchildren, Jeremy (Amber) Malloy, Chris (Courtney) Ellison, Corey (Kristin) Ellison, Carrie (Jake) Griffin, Chelsey (Scott) Reede, Lacy (Josh) Hoff, Holly (Josh) Douglas, Amy Daley (Daniel) and Joseph Newton; Great Grandchildren, Aiden and Kolby Hoff, Ryker, Jaynie, and Joey Douglas, Angelica, Emma, and Ella Malloy, Paxon Reede, Everlee Ellison and Landon; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Kenny Hintz, and Robert Hintz who passed in infancy;

A memorial has been established.