Ethelyn Gulseth
2/19/17 – 3/18/11
Ethelyn Elaine was born at home to Edward and Ebba (Johnson) Elofson on February 19, 1917. She was a life long member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church in rural Valley Springs and active in women’s circle. She graduated from Valley Springs Public School in 1935, worked at Gravelle Nursing Home in Sioux Falls, and in later years enjoyed her employment in the Brandon Valley School District as a teacher’s aide.
Ethelyn married LeRoy Gulseth on April 16, 1938. They were blessed with three children. Grateful for sharing her life are: daughter, Gail Hermanson of Brandon; sons, Richard (Kathleen) Gulseth and Douglas (Carrie) Gulseth – all of Valley Springs; her grandchildren, Gregg (Deborah) Letcher, Eric Gulseth, and Broc (Trecia) Gulseth – all of Brandon, Nikol (James) Shillerstrom and Joshua Gulseth, Sioux Falls; and her great-grandchildren, Austin Letcher, Aden Letcher, Torre Gulseth, Tripp Gulseth – all of Brandon, and newest great-grandson, Ian Schillerstrom, Sioux Falls.
“G.G.” loved sports and rarely missed a Twins game on television, attended local soccer games, and frequently called for updates when the games were away. She enjoyed the sun and outdoors. She was well known to all for her sugar cookies, peach pie, and homemade rye bread which encouraged visits from her family and young friends. She loved her church, politics, quilting, crocheting, celebrating special occasions, taking care of others, and her “little house” in Brandon.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Ebba (Johnson) Elofson, her husband, LeRoy, her siblings; Iona, Pershing, Vernon, and Lyle, and her son-in-law, Dr. John Hermanson.
I was saddened to see that Ethelyn had passed. I always enjoyed visiting with her when we would meet in the store, or wherever. She was great lady. I am sure she will be missed.
We were unable to attend the memorial service but wanted to extend our sympathy to all of you.
I attend Beaver Valley Lutheran Church so I had the pleasure of seeing Ethelyn quite often over the years. My favorite memory of her is one summer, not too long ago, I was out at the church weeding and watering the flowers outside. When I came around to the front, there was Ethelyn! She was standing on the sidewalk holding a steak knife and had a small bowl by her feet. She told me that on Sunday as she was walking into the church she noticed some weeds growing in the sidewalk cracks. She told me that instead of complaining about the weeds to someone she thought she could just as well come out to church and take care of them herself!
From then on I came to admire and respect her even more. She taught me instead of complaining about something do something about it! I liked her spunk!
Blessed be her memory.
Gail, Dick, Doug and Gregg,
I have many fond memories of Ethelyn. Not only was she a great person, and did not mince any words with you. She touched a lot of lives, including mine. She will be missed by everyone she knew. Please know, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our condolences to the family. I have many fond and cherished memories of Ethelyn during my younger years in Valley. She was, indeed, a wonderful person!
Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains. ~Kahlil Gibran