Photo courtesy of Heritage Funeral Home and Cremation Services - Sioux Falls
Oct 20, 1953 - Sep 22, 2025 (Age 71)
Have great memories working with Ellen. Always learning so much from her. I adore her passion for life, fun, creativity and feisty attitude! All smiles!
Jackie Knowlton
September 26, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
I had the pleasure of working with Ellen at Winner Regional. Her positive and upbeat spirit radiated from her. Sending prayers for comfort and healing.
Karleen Flakus
September 26, 2025 | Winner, SD
I loved seeing Ellen in the hallways of Sanford hospital. She brought light into the world! My sympathies to her family!
Pat McMahon
September 26, 2025
Terry I am so sorry to hear this. Prayers for comfort to you.
Tina Riddle
September 25, 2025
We are so very sorry to hear about Ellen. She was such a beautiful soul. Sending love and hugs ❤. Praying for peace in your hearts! ❤
Karen Drebert
September 24, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD | Friend
Thinking of all of you at this sad time. May you find comfort in the memories held in your heart! God be with you all.
Ray and judy Rennich
September 24, 2025 | Brookings
Terry, Anne, Jill and family
Sending my deepest sympathies to you all with the loss of your wife, mother and grandma I am blessed to have known Ellen from the time we worked together at Sanford and cherish the friendship and time we shared.
Mary Aukes
September 24, 2025 | Luverne, MN | Friend
Terry .. so very sorry. I know this is a great loss for you.
Kim Roy
September 23, 2025 | Lemmon, SD | Acquaintance
We were honored to have spent nearly 20 years as your neighbors. You were a bright spot on the corner in that magical garden oasis of yours. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing you and Terry working hard but also enjoying the beautiful landscape you nurtured and procured. Ellen and her light will most certainly be missed.
Anny & Zach Libengood
September 23, 2025 | Sioux Falls, SD | Neighbor
Ellen GrimlieOctober 20, 1953 – September 22, 2025
Ellen Grimlie, 71, the most kind, gentle, and humble woman, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2025, at Sanford Health, surrounded by the love of her family. After a courageous journey with cancer, Ellen faced her illness with the same grit and grace that she lived her life.
Born in Hendricks, Minnesota, on October 20, 1953, Ellen’s life was marked by compassion, dedication, and an endless energy for the world around her. She first graduated from Fairview School of Nursing in 1974 and later from South Dakota State University in 1995 with her degree as a dietitian. Her career included serving the communities of Winner, SD, Children’s Care Hospital and School in Sioux Falls, and Sanford Health, where she cared for others with both expertise and kindness.
Ellen loved being active—teaching aerobics, running, and bicycling across South Dakota three times, along with riding the famed RAGBRAI once. She proudly completed the Minnesota Ironman competition ten times, a testament to her strength and perseverance. She also backpacked countless times, finding renewal in nature, and created beauty closer to home as well. With her husband Terry, she transformed their yard into a sanctuary of peace for the soul, a haven for butterflies and hummingbirds. Together they hauled more than 30,000 pounds of quartzite rock by hand to build a stunning retaining wall and filled their garage with hundreds of seedlings each spring, a tribute to Ellen’s love for growing and creating. She also designed and painted outdoor art projects that brightened their garden and community.
Ellen’s greatest adventure began when she met Terry on a blind date on February 13, 1971. They married on June 8, 1974, and shared more than 54 years of love and partnership. Ellen and Terry celebrated not only their wedding anniversary but also the day they first met, cherishing every year of their journey as best friends, companions, and co-adventurers.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Terry; daughters, Anne (Brian) Madigan of St. Louis Park, MN, and Jill (Andy) Muehl of Sioux Falls, SD; and her beloved grandsons, Martin and Quentin Madigan. Ellen’s legacy of kindness, resilience, and love will live on in their hearts and in the gardens she nurtured.
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