Elinor Crawford

Elinor "Ellie" Crawford, age 81, of Yankton, SD passed away Friday, September 25, 2015 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Memorial services will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, SD with Rev. Steve McHone officiating. Private family burial of her cremated remains will be in the Garden of Memories, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, and then one hour prior to the service. Ellie Florence Crawford, the daughter of John Peter & Sylvia (Fischbach) Gaul was born on February 27, 1934 in Granville, IA. Ellie grew up in Granville, IA and graduated from St. Joseph High School. She graduated from McKennan School of Nursing in 1954 and obtained her R.N. She worked private duty, general hospitals, doctor's offices, public health and The Human Services Center until her retirement. She married Loren Crawford in Luverne, MN on March 27, 1959 and to this union three children were born. Ellie enjoyed numerous activities. She belonged to numerous pinochle groups, a red hat group and garden club. She loved to travel, attend the theater and concerts, going for coffee with her friends, shopping for any bargain she could find and spending time with her family. Ellie is survived by her three children: Laura (Joe) Gill of Yankton, SD, Marc (Maggie Medigovich) Crawford of Yankton, SD and Karel (Rory) Liska of Niobrara, NE; seven grandchildren: Kelli and Danielle Gill, Tabatha (Matthew) Gruchow , Keith (Sarah) Crawford, Dustin, Kai and Karly Liska; one great-grandchild, Max Crawford; six brothers and sisters: Sr. Verna Gaul of Dubuque, IA, Ruth (Harry) Black of Las Altos, CA, Marg (Bill) Childers of San Diego, CA, Rose (Marshall) Wilkes of Sioux Falls, SD, Clare (Ivan) Pattebaum of Granville, IA, Joe Gaul of Granville, IA and four half brothers and sisters: Kathy (Gayle) Hopkins of Salaix, IA, Peter (Barbara) Gaul of Alexandria, VA, Angie (Al) Uhrick of Sioux Falls, SD and Ted (Elaine) Gaul of Des Moines, IA. Ellie was preceded in death by her parents, John Peter and Sylvia (Fischbach) Gaul; husband, Loren Crawford; sisters, Gertrude Dekker and Joan Meaden; brother, Mark Gaul and sister-in-law, Cathy Gaul.