Mildred’s Obituary Mildred Eilene Espeland was born September 22, 1926 in rural Beresford, South Dakota to parents John and Violet (Kempston) Stuessi. She died January 14, 2019 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 92 years. Mildred went to Silver Lake country school through eighth grade and graduated from Beresford High School in 1944.
She married Francis Espeland on April 18, 1946. They farmed near Alcester and Canton and raised their three children before moving to Beresford in 1975. She worked in sales at Wass Furniture and was a waitress at Macs Café, Truck Towne, JoDeans Steakhouse in Centerville, Conklin Family Restaurant, Yesterdays Café and Emily’s Café.
Her husband, Francis, died in 1989 and her son, Jim, died in 2003. She moved to Sunnycrest Retirement Village in Sioux Falls in 2003 and to the Inn on Westport in 2010. In 2016, Mildred moved to the Good Samaritan Village, where she resided prior to entering Ava’s House for Hospice care.
She was a member of Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church in rural Beresford, which later became Zion United Methodist Church. She also attended Beresford Zion United Methodist Church and Sunnycrest United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Mildred “Millie” was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Anything she set her mind to, she was successful. Always a smile on her face, she brought joy to all those around her. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the love of her life.
She loved attending events and activities of her family, and anyone who knew her, knew she was a strong competitor! She felt her greatest accomplishments were helping to raise her brothers and her children, giving thanks and praise to God. She lived her life to the fullest, enjoying dancing, bowling, golfing, card clubs (Bridge and Whist) and cheering on the Minnesota Twins.
She was involved in many of her church activities over the years and a member of the Beresford VFW Auxiliary. She felt growing up in a small community where everyone knew each other was a blessing and she had many lasting friendships and memories. She carried those blessings forward when she moved to Sioux Falls.
She was a true ambassador in each community where she lived, including her time in retirement centers and nursing homes. She loved life and enjoyed being a caregiver to all. She enjoyed helping others and always looked on the bright side of life.
Grateful for having shared her life are her two daughters, JoAnn (Rodger) Leonard of Pierre, SD and Gloria Espeland of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren, Todd (Melanie) Espeland, Brett (Julie) Oakland, Brian (Jami) Oakland and Amy (Cory) Beeghly; eight great-grandchildren, Justin Oakland, Madysen Espeland, McKenna Espeland, Carly Oakland, Emma Beeghly, Michael Oakland, Olivia Beeghly and Easton Espeland; two brothers, Don Stuessi of Beresford and Dennis (Nancy) Stuessi of Gainesville, VA; special people who shared in her life, Bobbi Espeland and Mike Oakland. Her parents; husband, Francis; son, Jim; and special sister-in-law, Joelle Stuessi, preceded her in death. Funeral services will be 2PM on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Beresford Zion United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be 5-7PM on Saturday at the church with a prayer service at 7PM. The family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society, www. cancer.org.
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