Elaine A. Hanson
Elaine Annette Hanson, age 80, of Sioux Falls, SD died Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at Avera McKennan Hospital. Her funeral service will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls with burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026 at the funeral home from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM followed by a prayer service. PLEASE CLICK HERE AT 10 AM ON TUESDAY TO VIEW HER SERVICE ONLINE.
Elaine Annette Ritter was born on July 5, 1945 in Sioux Falls, SD to Clark and Gladys (Curtis) Ritter. She was raised and received her education in Sioux Falls, attending Eugene Field, Whittier Junior High and Washington High School, graduating in 1963. Following high school, Elaine began working at John Morrell and Company, a receptionist at Frisbee’s Plumbing and Heating before spending many years as a support specialist at Citibank. In her retirement years, she enjoyed working as a product demonstrator at Hy-Vee.
Elaine was united in marriage with Robert C. Hanson and together raised their family in Sioux Falls.
Elaine was a woman of deep faith in God. She took the teachings of Jesus and did whatever she could to do to improve the community around her. She read her daily devotions and prayed deeply for those around her. Elaine has been a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church since 2011.
Elaine’s warm personality led her to many lifelong friendships, and bonus children and grandchildren. She had a special relationship with her mother, that passed down to her own parenting style.
Elaine enjoyed reading, playing bingo and card games; especially canasta, visiting with her family, bird watching, cheering on the professional Minnesota sports teams, caring for her many dogs throughout the years, watching the game-show network and QVC. Above all, Elaine cherished spending time with her family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be dearly missed.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Kristi Drost, LeMars, IA, Jodi (Jeff) Elyea, Sioux Falls, SD, Jay (Jackie) Ritter, Sioux Falls, SD, Robert S. (Kelly) Hanson, Tracy, MN, and Richard (Lorana) Hanson, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Zachary (Mariah) Kellogg, Kassandra (Alex) Ebert, Caitlin (Dennis) Timmerman, Phillip Elyea, Brodie (Jessica) Elyea, Kelsi (Kelly) Case, Jacob Ritter, Taylor Hanson, Grace Hanson, Jordyn Hanson, Kaden Hookom; , Tucker (Alana Nelson) Hanson, Taylor Hanson, Alex Nichifor, Austin Nichifor and Nicholas Hanson, honorary grandchildren, Amy Anderson, Ryan Lynn, Alyssa Richter, Tara Lynn, Reilly Brewer, Hailey Brewer; 2 great-grandchildren, Sage & Linden Timmerman, with one more on the way; two sisters-in-law, Claren, Madison, SD and Diane Ritter, Sioux Falls, SD; dear friend, Harvey Brewer; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by Robert C. Hanson; her parents, Clark and Gladys Ritter; five brothers, Harold, Don, Billy, Jared Ritter and Roger Ritter; and sister-in-law, Madeline Ritter.