Rebecca Ellendorf

Rebecca Ellendorf, 62, of Wesport, SD, moved from this life into the next on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen, after a long and difficult journey with primary progressive aphasia. She died surrounded by family.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 3, 2025, at Freedom Church, 516 Production St. #200, Aberdeen, SD, with Aaron Punt officiating.

Interment will take place following the service at Westport Cemetery in Westport, SD.

A time for fellowship and refreshments will be held following the burial at the church.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, November 2, 2025, at Schriver's Memorial Chapel, with a prayer service beginning at 4:30 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church.

The prayer service can be viewed here. The funeral can be viewed here. 

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s Facebook following the service.

Rebecca was born in Aberdeen, SD, to Owen and Arlene (Brown) Mincks on Sept. 5, 1963. She grew up in Westport, SD, on a farm outside Aberdeen and in Neosho, MO. After graduating high school, Rebecca went to Good Shepherd Indian Bible School to pursue her desire to enter Christian ministry. There, she met and fell in love with fellow student Randy Ellendorf. They were married in Mobridge, SD, on June 28, 1984.

Randy and Rebecca were a part of many ministries, moving and traveling throughout their 41 years together. They trained at Last Days in Texas and then transitioned into ministry work. They lived and worked in many places, including Aberdeen and Sioux Falls, SD, before moving to Spearfish, SD. There, they worked with a YWAM group, at Solid Rock Church as an associate pastor, and in youth ministry. After seven years, they moved to Midland, SD, to pursue their goal of ministering on the Rosebud Reservation. They established Gentle Heart Ministries through which they held services, hosted meals, created outreach opportunities, and were active in White River and Mission, SD, and the surrounding tribal communities. Rebecca was gifted in teaching and led women's ministries, including Bible studies, prayer and counseling, and a quilting group. While doing this, Rebecca and Randy were also called to Midland Open Bible Church and together served in many roles, including pastor, youth and Sunday school coordinator, and Bible study leader.

Throughout these years, Rebecca and Randy had four children. While partnering with her husband in ministry, Rebecca also spent much of her time as a stay-at-home mom. She homeschooled for a number of years and occasionally took on part-time work, including teaching preschool, cleaning, and baking. She was skilled in sewing, crochet, cooking, and various other types of handicraft. Rebecca passed on her creativity and love of good food, sunny days, and small pleasures to her children. They grew up to have kids of their own, and at the time of her death, Rebecca was a grandmother to seventeen grandchildren. She loved being a mom and grandma. Even as her illness progressed, she showed great joy in time spent with family.

When she passed away, Rebecca was living at Bethesda Nursing Home in Aberdeen, SD. Her nurses often commented on her kind spirit and sweet smile. She lived her life with deep gratitude, love, and a gentleness that touched all those who knew her. Her wisdom and thoughtfulness will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Randy Ellendorf; her children, Elsie (Aaron) Punt, Josiah (Kristian) Ellendorf, Joya (Tyrell Junt) Ellendorf, and Gabriel (Jessa) Ellendorf; 16 grandchildren; and her four siblings, Terry Mincks, Eldon Mincks, Melba Schauer, and Reeta Chubb.

Rebecca Ellendorf is preceded in death by her parents, Owen and Arlene Mincks; in-laws Joyce and Cliff Picotte; grandson Landry Clairmont; sister-in-law Karen Ellendorf; brother-in-law Bill Chubb; nephews and nieces Asaph Mecklenburg, Noa Schauer, and Ruby & Elijah Frank.