Obituary

Ella Christine DeBates, age 93, of Brookings, formerly rural Jasper, Minnesota, died on May 3, 2017 at the Neighborhoods at Brookview surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be held at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, SD on Friday, May 5 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, Brookings, SD on Saturday, May 6 at 11:00AM. Burial will follow at 2:00PM at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Jasper, MN. Ella Christine Schryver was born February 1, 1924 to Mamie Benson Schryver and Herman Schryver in Williston, ND. Ella lived with her family for a short time in Fairview, MT. Ella's mother died when Ella was 10 years old. It was a difficult time in the midst of the Great Depression so Ella and her sister Elizabeth then moved to the Lake Park Children's Home operated by Lutheran Social Services in Lake Park, MN. She spent her childhood years at the "home" as she lovingly referred to it and it was there where she grew strong in her Christian faith. She graduated from Lake Park High School in 1943 and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN graduating with a bachelor's of science degree in home economics education in 1947. Ella taught home economics and biology at Jasper High School, Jasper, MN. Following the birth of her children, Ella became a substitute teacher at Jasper High School for many years and enjoyed working with young people. She married Marlyn Joseph DeBates on June 29, 1949. They lived in Jasper, MN above the bakery for a short time before moving to a farm in rural Pipestone county. MN. Most of their married life was spent on the farm in Moody County, SD. Ella and Marlyn retired from farming in 1998 and moved to Brookings, SD. Marlyn passed away in 1999. Ella lived in her home on Third Street until moving to Edgewood Vista in the fall of 2014 and then to the Neighborhoods in August of 2016; she lived there until she passed away. Ella was active in her church life at Bethania and Messiah Lutheran churches in Moody County and Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings. She attended many bible studies, served on church committees and was involved in church volunteer work throughout her life.

Ella was also involved in many organizations but especially enjoyed her involvement in the Progress Study Club and Extension Homemakers. She was a 4-H club leader for the Pleasant Valley and Pleasant Valleyettes 4-H Club for many years. Ella was also active in the Jasper Historical Society and the Pipestone County Historical Society. Ella and her neighbors were well known for their annual Christmas Teas. While living in Brookings, she enjoyed the weekly meetings of the Neighborhood Coffee Club. Ella enjoyed gardening especially flower gardening, sewing, crafts, playing pinochle, collecting angels and baking, but most importantly, spending time with her children and grandchildren. Ella was fun loving and always ready for a good time.

Ella is lovingly remembered by her eight children, Debra of Brookings, Prudence of Brookings, Matt (Linda) of Brookings, Murray (Susan) of Salem, Oregon, Roxanne Nothdurft (Dan) of Jefferson, SD, Estelle of Brooklyn, New York, Myles (Jane) of Sheldon, IA and Hope of Brooklyn, New York, eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.; her brother Duane (Pauline) Schryver and eight nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Marlyn, her parents, her infant sister Janette Schryver, her sister Elizabeth Reget, her brother-in-law Henry Reget, her brother Andrew Jackson "Jack" Schryver and great grandson Mason Cox.

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