Kaye Lynn (Lyngstad) Ellis, age 59 of Yankton died at her home after a long courageous battle with cancer surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, November 7, 2009. A Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Visitations will be from 3-9 PM, Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton The family will be present at 5:00 PM. A scripture service will begin at 6:30 PM followed by a 7:00 PM rosary. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Kaye was born September 25, 1950 to Colleen (McManus) and Wesley Lyngstad. She grew up in the Walshtown area and graduated from Irene High School in 1968. She married Steve Ellis on July 1, 1970.
In 2006, Kaye was diagnosed with cancer. She fought this battle with the same strength and tenacity that we all witnessed throughout her entire life. She is a testament of how truly magnificent the human spirit can be. She is an inspiration to so many.
Kaye enjoyed traveling, decorating, working outdoors, volunteering and found great happiness in taking care of others. She was always active and loved a new adventure. What she truly enjoyed the most was the time spent with family and friends. There was no greater gift. It is her unforgettable smile, strength, kindness, wit and love for others that will be greatly missed.
Kaye is survived by her husband Steve of Yankton; daughter Staci and her husband Joe Edmonds and their children Joseph, Grace, Emma and Luke of Houston, TX; her son Shawn Ellis and his wife Tricia (Auch) of Los Angeles, CA; mother Colleen Slagle of Yankton; 10 brothers and sisters and their spouses: Robert (Marilyn) Lyngstad of Volin; Tom Lyngstad of Vermillion, Nancy DeVault of Lenexa, KS; Dan (Jolene) Lyngstad of Irene; Mary (Curt) Svarstad of Irene; Larry (Kristie) Lyngstad of Volin; Janet Bak of Irene; Tim (Lori) Lyngstad of Edwardsville, KS; Judy Lyngstad of Yankton; Lisa Lyngstad and Susan Shella of Sioux Falls; and step siblings: Jean (Dennis) Freiden of Dardanelle, AR; Tom Slagle of Northglen, CO; Judy (Dan) Soverereign of Dardanelle, AR and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father Wesley Lyngstad, stepfather Milford Slagle and great niece Madison Hackett. It was Kaye's request that memorials be directed to Avera Sacred Heart Hospice, 501 Summit Street, Yankton, SD 57078.
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