MaryAnn Wehde

MaryAnn Wehde, 90, of Aberdeen, SD, died Monday, September 29, 2025, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

MaryAnn Fjelstad was born February 26, 1935, to Magnus and Eva (Hoybak) Fjelstad, in Aberdeen, SD. She attended grade school at Henry Neill in Aberdeen and graduated from Aberdeen Central High School. She went on to attend Northern Normal School (now Northern State University) and taught in a one room school.

MaryAnn married Lyle Ellingson on February 8, 1955, in El Paso, TX, and they lived on a farm near Stratford, SD. MaryAnn was the bookkeeper for the Sinclair Service Station they owned in Conde, SD. She also worked as bookkeeper for Northwestern Public Service in Conde, then Browns Fertilizer Plant. She later worked for Graham Tire and Aman Collections in Aberdeen.

MaryAnn was a good seamstress and made clothes and suits for her family. She also enjoyed needlework, embroidery and quilting. She was a fanatic with her crossword puzzles. She was a great cook and had a great sense of humor. MaryAnn was a humble woman. MaryAnn married Robert ‘Bob’ Wehde on December 14, 1991. Together, they spent winters in Arizona.

She taught Sunday School at the United Methodist Church in Conde and later she helped with meals and gatherings at the United Methodist Church in Groton. One of her specialties was making lefsa. She loved spending time with close friends. MaryAnn loved and supported her grandchildren, and even at 90 years old, would sit on the floor and play with her great-grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared MaryAnn’s life are her children: Terry (Susan) Ellingson, Vicki (Doug) Bierschbach, and Craig (Marilee) Ellingson and grandchildren: Scott Ellingson, Ryan (Becky) Ellingson, Chad (Haley) Ellingson, Sarah (Darin) Lowe, Steven Bierschbach, Shelly (Daan) Engels, Eric (Tava) Ellingson, Shayne (Sabryna) Ellingson, Chayce (Stephanie) Ellingson, and Bryan (Melissa) Collins; twenty-five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding MaryAnn in death are her parents Magnus & Eva Fjelstad; stepmother Maude (Bates) Fjelstad; husbands: Lyle Ellingson and Robert Wehde; brother Earl Fjelstad; stepsister Darlys (Bates) Murray; and stepson Ronald Wehde.

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