Parkston – Luella Josephine Palmer, 103, went to her heavenly home Monday, 8 July 2024 at Avera Bormann Manor.  Funeral service will be Saturday, 13 July 2024 at 10:30 am, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am, at Parkston Congregational Church in Parkston.

Luella was born 11 April 1921 to George and Lillian (Novak) Larson on the family farm southwest of Lake Preston, SD.  She attended a one room rural school through the 8th grade and graduated from Lake Preston High School.  She was active in 4H for many years and attended the National Dress Review as a contestant in Chicago as well as the National 4H Club Conference in Washington, DC.  This was during the depression years but with several jobs, she was able to attend and graduate from South Dakota State College.  Upon graduation with a degree in Home Economics, she was employed as Home Extension Agent for Lawrence County and worked with 4H and Extension Clubs in the Spearfish Area.

As World War II came to an end, her fiancé, Ralph Palmer, came home from Italy.  One 1 June 1946, they were married at the Methodist Church in Lake Preston, SD.  Their first few years were spent in Minnesota while her husband attended Veterinary School.  After graduation, the moved to South Dakota.  While living in Parkston, SD,  Luella was very active in the community.  She was a member of the United Church of Christ Ladies Aid, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Literary Club.  She received the Melvin Jones Award from the Lions International.  Luella had an amazing, quet commitment and love for her family and her community.  She was an amazing cook and seamstress.  Her family, church and helping others played a big role in her life over 103 years.

Grateful for having shared her life are her 5 children:  Linda Wermers of Eagle River, AK; Vicky (Dan) Ferber of Rapid City, SD; Ronda (Jack) Stoebner of Eagle River, AK; Cindy (Chris) Wilson of The Villages, FL; and Bob (Vicki) Palmer of Sioux Falls, SD; 9 grandchildren; and 11great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert Ralph Palmer; a son-in-law, Chuck Wermers; grandsons, Mark Wermers and Kyle Wilson; a sister, Marlys Christensen; brother, Verne Larson; sisters-in-law, Florence Larson and BeEtta Sinclair; brothers-in-law, William J. Palmer, Rex Sinclair and Dick Christensen.