Life-long Lawrence County resident, Elma Wendel, passed away at the David M Dorsett Healthcare Center on October 27, 2015. Born near Lucky Strike Mine (close to Benchmark, SD) on May 11, 1917, Elma moved with her family to Nemo, where she grew up and attended elementary school and high school through the eleventh grade, when she moved to Lead and worked in a boarding house to complete her senior year.

Elma had fond memories of growing up in Nemo where her dad worked for Homestake and her mother took in laundry. Carl Wendel, a Swedish Immigrant, came as a lumberjack to Nemo where he met Elma. They were married at the Lutheran parsonage in Lead, SD. In 1939, they moved to Spearfish living behind the City Hall for eight years before moving to their home on Seventh Street, where they lived for 38 years and raised five children.

While Carl was employed at the Homestake Sawmill in Spearfish, Elma worked for various local businesses, including Grant's Cottages, Hanson's Motor Lodge, The Eloc Arena, Hazeldine's Drug Store, Gambles and retiring from the Food Services Department at Black Hills State University.

Elma was active in the Congregational Church for over seventy years. She participated in Extension Club, Royal Neighbors of America, Rebecca Lodge and Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Elma enjoyed bowling with friends and enjoyed weekly treks to the bowling alley well into her 90's. Knitting, quilting, hardanger, tatting, crocheting, embroidering, making Christmas stockings and ornaments, solving puzzles, coffee klatches and Deadwood trips kept her retired life busy.

Elma ventured abroad for several trips to visit family in Finland and Sweden and loved her trips to visit children around the country.
Elma loved sports, especially watching her grandchildren and great-children playing baseball, basketball football and soccer.

Elma lived at Redwood Apartments for over 25 years before moving to Edgewood Vista and finally the David M Dorsett Healthcare Center.
Elma is survived by three daughters; Carleen (Tom) Gadsden, Omaha, NE; Darleen (Mike) Tysdal, Sturgis SD and Karen (Steve) Bjorum, Gillette, WY; brother, Arne (Gae) Koski of Spearfish; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A family celebration of Elma's Life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com