Frances Elaine Hendrickson, 91 of Sturgis, SD passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in Sturgis.

Funeral Services for Elaine will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the First Lutheran Church of Rhame. Pastor Galen Strand and Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial to follow in the Tuttle Cemetery, rural Rhame. There will be a Family and Friends service on Monday, April 2, 2012 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Krebsbach/Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation for Elaine will be on Monday, April 2, 2012 from 10-9 at the funeral home.

Elaine Willis was born on November 7, 1920 to Frank Edgar and Ethel Willis, the oldest of three daughters. Frank and Ethel named her Frances Elaine so that her initials could be FE Willis like her father. The small family made their home, "a house by the side of the road", on a farm 7 miles north of Rhame. During her elementary years she attended Crawford School, located across the road from their farm. She graduated from Rhame High School in 1937 as Valedictorian, at the age of 16. The following year she moved to Long Beach, California, to live with her aunt, Ruth Willis, where she attended business school.

Elaine met Helmar David Hendrickson at a dance where she was playing the piano with a local dance band. It was always the joke that Helmar was in a fight and was rolling across the dance floor when Elaine stood up and said "now there is the man I have been looking for". They were married on November 15, 1941 at Miles City, Montana. They made their home on a small farm 9 miles south of Rhame. Helmar and Elaine had 2 children, Willis Lee (Bill) and Lorayne Adair. In 1956 they moved their small family to Rhame where Elaine began working at the Bank of Rhame as a teller. She retired from the bank after 18 years of service in 1973. Helmar and Elaine were able to enjoy their retirement years by traveling, the highlight being 2 trips to Hawaii. Helmar passed away in 1982. Elaine remained in Rhame until 1994 when she moved to Sturgis, SD, to be near Bill and Lorayne. In 2000 she moved to the Sturgis Regional Nursing Home where she lived until her death.

Elaine was a junior member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Van Jones Unit #188, of Rhame, later becoming a proud life time member of 69 years. She was also a member of the Rhame Lutheran Church, a member of the Hobby Club and Senior Citizens of Rhame. Elaine had a love of music and a natural talent for playing the piano by ear. Along with her two sisters they provided entertainment to the family and the community with their musical talents. Elaine was called upon by the community to provide the piano music for many social events (Gala Days talent shows, American Legion events, church and school events), many times being asked at the last minute and never saying no. She was always honored to be asked and the family was very proud of her natural ability. She was told that when she moved to Sturgis, Rhame lost their music. Her biggest disappointment later in her life was that her fingers would no longer allow her to play the piano. Elaine never lost her love of Rhame and North Dakota. Everyone in the nursing home knew of Rhame and how special her family and friends there were to her. She always felt you could take the person out of Rhame but you can't take Rhame out of the person.

There will be one place setting missing at the family table now. Elaine was loved by her family and will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Elaine leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Lorayne and Jerome Schaefer, her daughter-in-law, Bonne Jo Hendrickson, her sisters, Gene Jensen and Mae Ione Hande, her brother-in-law, Ernest and Hazel Hendrickson. Five grandchildren: Steve & Sarah Hendrickson, Denise & Mark Leslie, Dawn & David McCarthy, Danielle & Reggie Wade, and Kenya & Jeremy Schummer. Eleven great grandchildren: Cara Hendrickson, Jami Leslie, Megan Hendrickson, Kelsey Hendrickson, Renee & Brian Martin, Alissa & Kevin Desautels, Tyler Lange, Ashley Rennie, Devin Gregory, Kacie Gregory, and Trevor Wade. Three great-great grandchildren: Tabion Lange, Taten Rennie, and Avery Lange. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends both in Rhame and Sturgis.

Elaine is joining those special people who proceeded her in death. Her husband, Helmar, her son, Willis (Bill), her parents, Frank & Ethel Willis, her granddaughter, Lisa Lee Wentzel, her father and mother-in-law, John and Martha Hendrickson and numerous brothers and sisters-in-law along with many friends.

Elaine will be laid to rest in the Tuttle Cemetery at Rhame beside Helmar and Bill. She has gone to heaven to be with her family.