Ellen Maxine Van Meeteren

Sioux Falls, SD: Ellen Van Meeteren, age 82, passed away unexpectedly on December 12, 2025, at her home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota from cardiac arrest. A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 20, at 10:00 AM at the Hudson Lutheran Church with Pastor Carolyn Salberg officiating. The service can be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCieZdtJPj5h5Y2n8rHV_M_Q. Immediately following the service, burial will be at Eden Cemetery of Hudson with a luncheon to follow at church. Visitation with the family present will be held Friday, December 19 from 5:30-7:00 PM at Hudson Lutheran Church. There will be no public viewing or prayer service to follow.

   Memorials may be directed to the Hudson Fire Department or Hudson Ambulance Association.

   Ellen Maxine Van Meeteren was born on September 2, 1943, to Leonard and Clara (Miller) Harris in Hudson, South Dakota. She attended Hudson high school, was a member of the saddle club and took pleasure in horseback riding and then graduated in 1961. Following graduation, she worked as a bank teller in Hudson. On June 23, 1963, Ellen married Harvey Van Meeteren and they farmed together until his death on January 22, 2007. Together they raised three children and expanded the family farm. She remained on the family farm until recently moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

   Ellen had a servant heart and spent many hours volunteering at the church, the senior center and the schools where her children attended. Known by most as mom or grandma, she was also a devoted wife and caretaker to her husband, Harvey. Ellen was a true friend to many and she possessed a strength and loyalty that was unbreakable. Her smile was warm and her soul was spirited.

   Ellen is lovingly remembered by her three children: son, Wayne (Mollie) Van Meeteren of Harrisburg, South Dakota and their children, Mitch, Luke, Bree and Sadie (Ian) Rinken and great grandchildren, Malachi, Kenan, Eliana; daughter, Paula (Paul) Hammond of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and their children, Sarah, Jack and Joe; and son, Terry (Lynn) Van Meeteren of Hudson, South Dakota and their children, Morgan and Zac. Ellen is also survived by five sisters: Doris (Gerald) Harms of Worthing, South Dakota, Ruth Stocking of Syracuse, Nebraska, Kathy (Jim) Haroldson of Ruthton, Minnesota, Carol (Ron) MacFarlane of Campbellsport, Wisconsin and Evy (Bill) Arndt of West Bend, Wisconsin.

   Preceding Ellen in her death were her parents, Clara and Leonard Harris; husband, Harvey Van Meeteren; and infant grandson, Shane Van Meeteren.

   How extraordinary an ordinary life can be!