Ellen Hawes

Ellen Mae Hawes 80 of Brandon, South Dakota died unexpectedly on January 6, 2026. She was born on March 23,1945 at Kelly Field military base behind the Alamo before they relocated in San Antonio, Texas to George and Mary (Jamison) Hawes. She grew up in Ellsworth, Wisconsin where she graduated. Not long after Ellen married and had five children Yvette, Jole, Loy, Kully, Trepp raising them in Lake City, Minnesota. She eventually settled in the Sioux Falls/Brandon South Dakota area. This is where she met the love of her life Jim (James) Kranz Hawes. She was an apartment manager for a time and worked at Walmart. She was also a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sioux Falls. She enjoyed playing card games, traveling with her late husband, reading, eating at one of her favorite spots, The Frying Pan, spending time with family, friends and neighbors. Ellen also had quite the green thumb, she would scour the clearance section for the deadest looking flowers and ask for more of a discount bring them home and “voila” get it started growing again.

Ellen was blessed in finding a very close and special friendship with Mavis Hawkins from her church.

Ellen is survived by her children Yvette of Red Wing, MN, Jole (Brad) Gilles of Lake City, MN., Loy (Bob) Palma of Farmington, MN., Trepp (Sarah) Meyer of Cannon Falls, MN; 9 Grandchildren Bryan (Shannon) Kern, Keegan Kern, Nathan Gilles, Austin (Bailey) Gilles, Alexandra (Alexander) Schmidt, Tyler Palma, Micah Palma, Jewels Meyer, Gavin Weitzel; including 5 Great-Grandchildren Ares, Archer, Macson, Mavrick, Miles. She is also survived by her nephews Drew Sobaski, John Sobaski, Ex-Brother in law Darrel Sobaski.

Ellen is preceded in death by her son, Kully Meyer; her parents; sisters Clara Sobaski, Delna Hawes. A memorial service will take place at 5 pm Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. There will be cookies and punch served after.

Ellen will be placed in her final resting spot with her late husband Jim at Fort Snelling in Saint Paul, MN. at a later date.

Memorials preferred to the family or her church.