Elaine Hallberg

Elaine Hallberg, age 94, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Avantara-Milbank Nursing Home.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, 1:00 p.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will close with a prayer service at 7:15 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Pastor Curtis Simonson will officiate, and interment will be at Milbank City Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Elaine Ruth Hallberg was born on August 8, 1930, in Sioux Falls, SD, to Alice Bostic of Pipestone, MN, and was originally named Ramona June. She was baptized by Pastor Boe. At just six weeks old, she was adopted by Rev. Richard and Emelia Johnson of East Chain, MN, and rededicated to the Lord at East Chain Lutheran Church, where she was given the name Elaine Ruth Johnson. Elaine always spoke positively about her adoption, often sharing how special she felt knowing she had been chosen. This sense of being deeply loved and wanted remained a meaningful part of her story throughout her life.

The Johnson family lived in East Chain, MN, for the first six years of Elaine’s life, where she began her schooling. In the fall of 1936, they moved to West Union Lutheran Church in Carver, MN. Because of her father’s pastoral career, the family moved frequently. Elaine graduated from high school in 1948 in Carthage, SD. After high school, her family moved to Strandburg, SD, where Elaine met Curtis Hallberg. The couple married on June 2, 1950 — the same day her parents celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Elaine and Curtis first settled in Stockholm, SD, before moving to Milbank, SD, in 1953.

Elaine worked briefly at Schad’s Bakery but soon devoted her time to raising her growing family and caring for her parents. From 1967 to 1969, she worked at Whetstone Valley Nursing Home. In 1969, she became the Deputy County Auditor, a role she held for 10 years before serving as the County Auditor for 14 more years. She retired on December 30, 1992. In her retirement, Elaine dedicated her time to volunteering at the nursing home and playing piano for church services. She cherished time spent with family and friends. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were especially important to her.

Elaine moved to Park Place in 2016 and later to Avantara, where she resided until her passing. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, and prayer was always an important part of her family’s daily routine. Elaine was known for her loving yet firm nature, always holding herself and others to high standards. She and Curtis were proud patriots. Elaine was involved with the American Legion Auxiliary, the Grant County Historical Society, Church Women’s Groups, Choirs at Church, and Grant County Co-Workers.

She is survived by her children: Richard (Sharon) Hallberg of Smyrna, GA; Cecile Hallberg Cotner of Rogers, AR; Daniel Hallberg of Sioux Falls, SD; Donna (Steven) Bucher of Plankinton, SD; Ruth (David) Gulck of Milbank, SD; her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Alex (Kelsey Maas) Gulck; Dane and Marisa Hallberg - Arden, Aggie, Kirby; Lainie and Craig Adams - Nathan, Owen, Colin, and Harper; Andrew and Sarah Hallberg; Emelia Gulck and Brandi Mitzel - Jacoby and Avery; Hanna Noehre; Bert and Erin Bucher - Collins and Miller; Ellen and Brian Kluth – Lucas, Harvey, and Lydia; Erin Noehre; her siblings: Gloria and Randy Johnson; Lawrence Haubrich; David and Jayme Steele; sisters-in-law: Carol Haubrich and Ilsa Haubrich; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Curtis A. Hallberg; adoptive parents: Pastor Richard and Emelia Johnson; birth mother, Alice Bostic Haubrich Steele; daughter, Renee’ Hallberg Noehre brothers: Donald Haubrich, James Haubrich; adopted brother, Paul Johnson; son-in-law, Henry Lee Cotner; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Earle and Helen Hallberg; Milton and Jane Hallberg; LaVern and Shirley Hallberg; John and Maurleen Hallberg; Judy Haubrich.