Elaine Ketterling

Elaine Elizabeth (Salmon) Ketterling, 87, of Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2026.

Born on October 23, 1938, in Deadwood, Elaine was the cherished daughter of Vina and Esther Salmon. Raised on her family’s dairy farm fourteen miles south of Deadwood, a homestead established by her grandparents after emigrating from Finland, Elaine learned the values of hard work, family, and heritage early in life. She began her education at Custer Peak School, a one-room schoolhouse, before graduating from Lead High School in 1956. She went on to study elementary education at Black Hills State University and worked as a telephone operator in Lead.

In 1960, Elaine married Elroy Ketterling, with whom she shared many years and raised her two daughters, Anita and Marlene, before later parting ways. Elaine devoted herself fully to raising her family, taking immense joy in being a stay-at-home mother and attending every school activity and milestone.

Throughout her life, Elaine possessed a natural heart for service. She held several fulfilling part-time roles that allowed her to nurture and connect with others, working as a substitute teacher, newspaper reporter, typist, senior companion, and foster grandparent.

Her commitment to her community was equally deep. She was a 50-year member of the Lawrence County Extension and served for many years as a 4-H leader while her daughters participated in the program. She was an active church member who deeply valued fellowship, and was an avid reader and writer. Proud of her heritage, she delighted in Finnish gatherings. Among her proudest civic achievements was successfully securing grant funding to help build a community center near her family’s original homestead.

Elaine decided to go back to college later in life, re-enrolling in Black Hills State University where she continued her pursuit of elementary education. She also spent time writing a historical book about the Black Hills.

She is survived by her daughters, Anita Rochester of Rapid City, SD, and Marlene (Jeff) Swartz of Arvada, CO; her sister, Annette Oppedahl of Chapel Hill, NC; her three grandchildren, Rachel Rochester of Aurora, CO, Matthew Rochester of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Brady Swartz of Arvada, CO; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Vina and Esther Salmon; Elroy Ketterling; her sister, Mary Hausle; her brother, Donald Salmon; and three infant sisters.

Elaine’s warmth, gentle strength, and unwavering devotion to her family leave a lasting legacy in the hearts of all who knew her.

A memorial in her name has been setup at West River Mental Health Center and NAMI South Dakota (National Alliance on Mental Health). 

Services will be held at 11:00AM Friday, September 18, 2026 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lead. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Roubaix Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Lead-Deadwood Chapel of Lead & Cremation arrangements are under the care of Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at https://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/