Ellen J. (Coffield) Besler joined her Savior Tuesday October 8th, 2013 at David M. Dorsett Heathcare Center in Spearfish, SD.
Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M., Friday, October 11, 2013 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Hope Lutheran Church in Spearfish with Pastor Mark Schutz officiating. Burial with take place at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. Memorials have been established to benefit the Reva Hall in Reva, Hope Lutheran Church and the David M. Dorsett Healthcare Center.
Ellen Jeanette Coffield was born in Hettinger, ND to Hubert and Lucille (Larson) Coffield on February 18th, 1930, the fourth of six children just minutes after her twin sister Elma. She grew up on the family farm/ranch north of Reva, SD. She attended local country schools through the eighth grade. Ellen and her twin sister started high school in Keister, Minnesota while boarding with her aunt and uncle and completed high school in Buffalo, SD in 1948. After graduating high school she attended Black Hills Teachers College in Spearfish and received a teaching certificate. She taught in several country schools in Harding and Perkins counties. Ellen met the love of her life, Elmer Besler, at a dance in Reva, SD in 1954. Elmer and Ellen married March 11, 1955 in Rapid City, SD. They made their home at the Besler home place south of Bison. The first three of their children were born while living there, Rex in 1956, Monte in 1957, and Scott in 1959. In 1959 the opportunity came up to lease Ellen's home place near Reva, SD from her parents, later purchasing it in 1962. In 1961 their only daughter, Reva, was born. Through their hard work and foresight they expanded the ranch several times. Ellen and her sister, Elma, opened the Buffalo Family Center, a variety store, in 1979 and operated it until 1984. In 1997 they leased the ranch to their son and his wife, Scott and Lori. The same year they semi-retired and moved to Spearfish, SD where they have resided to the present. She was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bison. After moving to Spearfish, Elmer and Ellen transferred to Hope Lutheran Church. Ellen was active in the community serving on several community boards included the local Reva school board. Ellen was also elected to the Harding County School Board, serving as President for several years. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She and Elmer were avid card players. Ellen enjoyed outdoor activities like golfing, yard work, and playing with her teams of horses.

Ellen loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and supporting them in their activities whenever possible. Elmer and Ellen enjoyed traveling and visiting friends and family.

Ellen is survived by her children, Monte (Judy) Besler of Williston, ND, Scott (Lori) Besler of Reva, SD, Reva (Harvey) Paulson of Spearfish, SD; 13 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; siblings, Arnold Coffield, Patrick (Fay) Coffield, Marie Packard; brothers-in-law, William Johnson, Victor (Pauline) Besler, Oscar Besler, Ralph (Renae) Besler, Wayne (Barbara) Besler, Leroy (Virginia) Besler, Darrell (Linda) Besler, Marlin (Dorothy) Besler; sisters-in-law, Dolores Coffield, Alma O'Rourke, Esther (Jim) Haggart of Bison, SD, Carol (Tom) Shepherd, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her parents, infant son, Rex, grandsons, Forrest Paulson and Dustin Besler, infant great-granddaughter, Sidney Adam, brother, Clarence, her twin sister Elma, seven brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.