Ellen (Meis) Reindl was born November 12, 1921, to Gregory and Margaret (Moran) Meis at home near Geddes, SD. She died peacefully on April 15, 2012, at the Custer Regional Senior Care Center where she had made her home since January.

Ellen attended St. Ann's grade school and graduated from Geddes High School. She attended one year of secondary school at Notre Dame Academy in Mitchell, SD, and received her teaching certificate. Ellen taught in some country schools around Geddes and Platte for three years. During her one year at Notre Dame she became best friends with Patricia Reindl and that sealed her fate. During a trip home to Wessington Springs with Patricia, Ellen met Patricia's older brother, LeRoy. At first she thought him a terrible "tease" and was not impressed. Eventually he won her heart and they were married in Geddes on October 9, 1943, and moved to a place near Wessington Springs where LeRoy farmed with his father and younger brothers.

Children soon entered the family when a daughter was born in 1944. She was followed closely by two more daughters and three sons. In 1954 LeRoy and Ellen took a leap of faith and moved their expanding family to a ranch owned by Albert Eggers near Reliance, SD. Another daughter and son were born there. After four good years at Reliance, they were able to buy their own place northwest of Custer in 1958. Two more daughters and one more son were born here.

Ellen's life revolved around her Catholic faith, her husband and her children. She was a wife and mother first and foremost and never found the need to apologize for that. She used her teaching skills to make sure all of her children were readers.

LeRoy died on June 28, 1985. Ellen called that the saddest day of her life. She continued to live northwest of Custer and was active at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Custer Senior Center and in her children's and grandchildren's lives. She spent many hours making quilts by hand and on other needlework projects. Ellen moved to Boot Hill Ranch Estates in 2002 and to Wedgwood Assisted Living in 2008.

In addition to LeRoy, Ellen was preceded in death by her parents and her four brothers; William, Ed, Vic and Ralph as well as one son-in-law, Pat Burke.

Ellen is survived by six daughters, Kathleen (Larry) Johnson; Wanda (Alan) Tounsley; Judy (Ron) Lacey; Marge (Richard) Wellman; Lynette (the late Pat) Burke; Leanne Reindl; five sons, Darryl (Janet); Lyle; Tim (Sherri); Kevin (Denice); Mike (Debbie); twenty nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Wake Services will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 20, 2012, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Custer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 21, 2012, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Fr. Peter Kovarik officiating. Interment will follow at the Custer Cemetery where she will be buried next to LeRoy.

Memorials in Ellen's name may be sent to either the Custer Senior Center or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.