Elsie Hovey, age 81, of Brookings, SD, died Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at the United Living Community in Brookings. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2014, at Grace Lutheran Church in Bruce, SD, with burial to follow in Deer Creek Cemetery, rural Bruce. Visitations will be held from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, August 24, 2014, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. Elsie Alvina Sween was born January 21, 1933, in rural Brookings County to Gilbert and Signe (Swedlund) Sween. Her family moved to the Estelline area where Elsie attended school and graduated in 1951. On October 18, 1952, Elsie married Rolf Hovey. They farmed near Hayti until 1955. At that time, they purchased Uncle Peter Hovey's homestead near Bruce and resided there until the time of Rolf's death. Elsie then moved to Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Brookings where she lived for the next four years. Elsie was a very dedicated mother to six children. She spent many years working outside the home at the Bruce Market and found time for her cake decorating business as well. She was active with the American Legion Auxiliary, Farmers Union, Bruce Community Club, Sons of Norway, and Live Wire Extension Club. She was also social secretary at the park in Weslaco, Texas, where she and Rolf wintered for over ten years. Elsie was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday school, served with the ladies aid, and was the church secretary for a number of years. She enjoyed spending time with her family and loved them all dearly. She will be remembered for her love of bingo, dancing, reading, puzzles, and traveling. Survivors include her five children: Janet (David) Johnson of Watertown, SD, Donald (Shelly) Hovey of Overland Park, KS, Louise (Michael) Zuiderhof of Brandon, England, Mary (Russell) Bjerke of Volga, SD, and Rolf (Anne) Hovey, Jr, of Bruce, SD; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Roger Hovey; sisters-in-law, Marian, Vera, Betty, and Dorothy Sween; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rolf; parents, brothers and sisters, and a son, James.