Ethel LarsenEthel Mae (Mellegard) Larsen, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 26, 2017 at the Viborg Pioneer Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30 at the Hurley Seventh-Day Adventist Church (900 Park Blvd.). Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 29 with the family present and a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home.Ethel was born on November 8, 1926 to Romey and Esther (Jorgensen) Mellegard and grew up on the family farm northwest of Viborg. She graduated from Hurley High School and then attended Springfield where she earned her teaching degree. After obtaining her degree, Ethel taught for a few years in a country school.On October 3, 1950 Ethel was united in marriage to Homer Larsen at the First Baptist Church in Parker. They were soon after baptized together at the Yankton Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Homer and Ethel were blessed to celebrate 65 years of marriage together.Following Ethel's short teaching career, she devoted most of her time to helping Homer with the farm. Ethel raised thousands of chickens, tended her large garden each year, enjoyed canning, planting flowers and is well remembered for her delicious meals served to hired help. Ethel was very kind and compassionate. She was always there for an ailing family member or neighbor and loved visiting and encouraging anyone in need. Her favorite times were spent with her siblings, kids and grandkids which were always filled with laughter. She especially cherished memories made with her grandkids which consisted of baking together, playing games and working in the garden.One of Ethel's greatest adventures was a recent trip on a private jet to visit her niece in Austin, Texas with other close family members. She was flattered to be offered a trip to spend one last weekend with her family. Ethel was a woman of strong faith in God. She never complained no matter the circumstance, always believing that in time, things would get better. She held that belief until her passing and now awaits something even better, the coming of her Lord Jesus Christ to take her home. Ethel is survived by her two sons Jimmie (Kim) Larsen of Viborg, SD and Lee Larsen of Cordova, AK; one grandson, Christopher (Jamie) Larsen of Viborg, SD and two granddaughters, Cally Larsen of Chicago, IL and Chelsey Larsen of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother James "Bud" (Sue) Mellegard of Viborg, SD and two sisters, Marge Jorgensen of Davis, SD and Jeanie (Skip) Christensen of Humboldt, IA and many nieces and nephews. She entered into rest along with her parents, brothers Norman, Vern and Richard along with sisters Dorothy, Mary and Helen and her beloved husband Homer Larsen. www.hofmeisterjones.com