Eldora Baumiller, age 91, of Huron, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Avantara Huron. A private family service will be held on Thursday, May 21 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland, SD, with burial at the Parkston Cemetery in Parkston, SD.  Her service will be live streamed on her daughter's Facebook page at 1:00 PM on Thursday.

Eldora Doris (Schelske) Baumiller was born on December 6, 1928 in Hutchinson County in Tripp, South Dakota to Arthur and Edna (Herr) Schelske. She was baptized, becoming a Child of God on January 27, 1929 in the Lutheran Church in Tripp, in the German language. Matthew 28:19 was her baptismal verse. At the age of 13, she and her sister Leola were confirmed in English. Her confirmation verse was Psalm 86:11.

She attended country school 1 ^st thru 8 ^th grade and then attended 9 ^th grade in Kaylor, SD. Later she received her GED Certificate from Springfield, SD. It was a special day in her life and a proud moment for her and her family. Her teenage years were spent helping with the house and farm work and also as a waitress in the Scotland Café. She spent 18 years at the Scotland School District as a teacher's aide for special needs children whom she loved and cared for dearly.

Eldora married Clarence Baumiller on December 7, 1947 at St. John's Lutheran Church of rural Parkston SD. They lived on a farm north of Olivet, SD. Later they purchased a farm near Tripp and when they retired moved to Scotland on October 29, 1992. They were married 53 years. Clarence passed away on November 25, 2000.

She loved to bake – especially known for her apple pies and pie crusts. She was known around town for baking someone their favorite pie for their birthday as well as the cross bookmarks she made. She also enjoyed sewing and fixing the neighbors' hair in her younger years. She enjoyed taking walks and was always conscious of her weight and health. She was very active in church and community volunteer work. She attended Zion Lutheran Church on a regular basis serving on several committees, singing in the choir, quilting, folding bulletins and advising many a pastor. She was a "red-hatter" and enjoyed spending time with her lady friends playing cards, going to movies, celebrating birthdays, concerts, and eating out. She also worked and volunteered in several offices in Scotland as a secretary.

In August 2017, at the age of 88, Eldora moved to the Wellshire in Huron, SD to be closer to her daughter. She was well liked by all the residents, always willing to help someone carry their laundry, fix their hair or walk with them down the hall. She became a member of Hope Lutheran Church where her daughter and family attended. Many times, she said how happy she was with her new home. She always welcomed visitors. She kept busy playing bingo on a regular basis, attending sing-a-longs led by her daughter and also getting her hair and nails done.

Eldora's very nature was to do things for other people expecting nothing in return. She was ever so humbled when someone would do something nice for her.

Her faith in God and her family were of utmost importance in her life, she often mentioned that she prayed daily for her family ending every prayer with God Bless America. She flew the flag proudly at her home in Scotland. She had many family members who served in the US Armed Forces. Eldora was always a good example of what faith, love, generosity and kindness should look like. She led by example and her favorite bible verses were Matthew 6:33 and Matthew 7:7-8. She was a faithful and faith-filled loving, caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, son Scott and wife Christy of Piedmont, SD; daughter Kris Ann and husband Arnie Claeys of Huron; daughter-in-law, Anna Baumiller of Gary, SD; eight grandchildren, Julie and Keith Harrison, Jennifer Hauf, Jacob and Liz Baumiller, Cathy and Jason Palmberg, Craig and Emily Baumiller, Austin and Lindsey Claeys, Colin Claeys and fiancé Shayla Burton, and Landon Claeys; eight great-grandchildren: Alexis and Josh Hauf, Kyra and Kaley Harrison, Ryan and Grant Baumiller, Jackson Palmberg and Leo Baumiller. One brother Norman and his wife DiAnn of Springfield, and one sister Kathy and her husband Dave Mudloff of Olathe, KS. Three sisters-in-law, Beatrice Schelske of Scotland, Fern Schelske of Sioux Falls, and Darlene Mogck of Parkston, and many nieces and nephews as well as a host of relatives and friends.

Eldora was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, two sons Craig (as a toddler) and Lennis, parents Arthur and Edna Schelske, sister Leola Kizer and brothers Eldon, Donald, Arthur Jr., Marvin, Wilmer and Willard.

Memorials can be directed to Zion Lutheran Church in Scotland, SD or Hope Lutheran Church in Huron, SD.