Ethel Etta, daughter of James and Bendena (Meyer) Lewis was born on October 11, 1928 at Hecla, SD. She attended country school through 8th grade and then attended high school in Hecla where she graduated in May of 1947.

She married Edward Lilla on June 26, 1947. Together they made their home on a farm near Hecla where they raised their seven children. Ed passed away March 17, 1994.In 1995, Ethel moved to town. Ethel became a resident of the Oakes Good Samaritan Society in 2017. Sheloved and appreciated her caregivers; they were all so very special to her.

Ethel was a member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church and Altar Society for many years until it closed.She then became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hecla. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Ethel loved to crochet, and she always had a potholder or dishcloth to give to family and friends. She sewed beautiful outfits & dresses for her kids and grandkids, and she also made a quilt for each of them. Ethel loved playing cards.

Ethel is survived by six of her childrenJim Lilla, Harrisburg, SD, Terry (Joan) Lilla, Tom (Teresa) Lilla, Sandy (Verl) Dinger, Susan (Dale) Rosendahl, and Andy (Toby) Lilla all of Hecla; 15 grandchildren; 29 greatgrandchildren; and two sistersin-law Shirley Lewis and Barb Lewis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edward, son Donald, two infant sons, daughter-in-law Connie Lilla, brothers Albie, Jim, and Robert Lewis, and sisters Kate Dinger, Violet Dinger, Nellie Winburn, Darlene Dockter and an infant sister Alice.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Dahlstrom Funeral Home in Oakes. Her funeral will be Friday, October 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hecla with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at the Hecla City Cemetery. Ehtel’s service will be live streamed on the Dahlstrom Funeral Home website www.dahlstromfuneralhome. obituary page.