Eleanor Francis 'Ellie' Custer, age 71, of Hot Springs, SD, passed away May 4, 2012, at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

Ellie was born in Wahalla, ND, on November 18, 1940, to Adeline Longie Hell-Karstens and Herbert J. Hell. The Hell family moved to International Falls in 1952. She met Darrell Custer in1957and they were married in International Falls at St. Thomas Catholic Church on December 30, 1959. Darrell & Ellie moved their family to the Black Hills of South Dakota in 1976 because Darrell received a job transfer with ConTel Corporation.

Ellie was a member of the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church of Hot Springs. Her passion in life was the task of being a homemaker and taking care of her family. She loved spending time outdoors, especially fishing and hunting wild turkeys. She also loved to spend time with family and friends, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite pastime while living at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home was playing bingo.

Survivors include her husband of fifty-two years, Darrell Custer of Hot Springs; son, Brian (Janette) Custer of Pierre, SD; daughter, Kimberly (Paul) Oberpriller of Hot Springs; daughter, Cheryl (Les) Underhill of Black Hawk, SD; sister, Sharon Proctor of International Falls, MN; grandchildren, Serina (Ryan) Stobbe of Manhattan, KS; Brian (Sarah) Custer of Brookings, SD; Darrell Custer of Pierre, SD; Mallory Oberpriller of Hot Springs; Jake Oberpriller of Hot Springs; A.J. (Autumn) Underhill of Ashland MT; and Shelley Underhill of Black Hawk, SD; and Sean Lewellen of Miller, SD. Great-grandchildren Thomas Stobbe, Aleena Stobbe, Addison Custer, Kirstin Kranzler, and Jesse Kranzler.

She is preceded in death by her parents Adeline & Herbert Hell, brother Delorne Hell, sister Leona (Hell) Shoberg, and brother Harlan Hell.

Wake services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 13th, 2012, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 14th, 2012, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs.

Interment will follow at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ellie's name may be sent to the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home, 2500 Minnekahta Avenue, Hot Springs, SD, 57747.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Hot Springs. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.