Elissa Ranae Feilmeier

Elissa Ranae Feilmeier, age 42, of Sioux Falls, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls. A private family service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home of Yankton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elissa “Lissy” Ranae Feilmeier was born July 15, 1983 in Yankton, SD to parents Alan and Connie (Soulek) Feilmeier. She was their third child. Soon after birth Lissy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and seizure disorder, making her unable to walk or talk. She communicated through laughing, crying, or vocalizing in excitement. Around 4 years old she attended the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Aberdeen where she learned how to brush her teeth, drink from a cup, and brush her hair. One year later, she transferred to Children’s Care Hospital and School in Sioux Falls. She lived there for 17 years. When she turned 21, she transferred to DakotAbilities where she lived until her death.

No matter where she lived, her personality shined bright. She always made friends quickly with both residents and the staff. Phrases that the staff have used to describe Lissy are: “a pure joy”, “so special to us”, and “always smiling”. She enjoyed shopping with her friends and attending movies. She always enjoyed a warm, sunny day and being outside. She played in the Sioux Falls Miracle Softball League for a few years (truth be told she may or may not have fallen asleep in left field a time or two). She excelled at doing arts & crafts. Her final arts & crafts project was making thumb prints in clay for her family. She liked bright colors & shiny objects. When she lived at home, she loved the surprise of loud noises, making her laugh so hard. She loved laughing! Her favorite pastime was playing with her toys. She got so much enjoyment from loud tambourines, maracas, and rattles. But mostly slinkies! She would get a slinkie all wrapped up into a jumbled mess, that it would take Houdini to get out of it.

Lissy had numerous surgeries, but she was resilient. She always seemed to defy the odds. She was a fighter and was so strong. She battled through many of life’s obstacles with a smile on her face making her family so proud.

Elissa’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at DakotAbilities for their many years of dedicated and meaningful support services, consistently enriching Lissy’s life.

Grateful for having shared her life are her parents Alan and Connie; brother Jayson (Becky) Feilmeier; sister Tamme (Daniel) Klutman; grandmothers Dolores Feilmeier and Della Mae Soulek; nephew Kyle (Hannah) Feilmeier; nieces Adrienne and Sierra Feilmeier; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Lissy is preceded in death by grandfathers Tony Soulek and Denis Feilmeier; infant cousin Nicholas Feilmeier; uncle Daniel Devine, and aunts Lee Ann Soulek and Ranae Soulek.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Dakotabilities at https://www.dakotabilities.org/get-involved/donate