Lois Gellerman
Lois M. Gellerman, age 88, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, November 15, 2024 at Church of the Good Shepherd (2707 W. 33rd St., Sioux Falls, SD.) Family will be present for visitation from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Miller Funeral Home – Downtown Chapel (507 S Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD) with closing prayer at 6:00 pm. Lois's service will be livestreamed at the Church of the Good Shepherd Facebook page on the day of her service: https://www.facebook.com/churchofthegoodshepherdepiscopal/
Lois was born on May 5, 1936 to Ben and Ruth (Erickson) Rossow in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She graduated from Washington High School in 1954 where her father was the principal. She graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in education. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and participated in Strollers.
Lois married Fred Gellerman on June 14, 1958 in Sioux Falls. She taught first grade in Webster and adult education in Rapid City. She completed her career at the South Dakota State Penitentiary, spending over 20 years helping countless inmates earn their GEDs. In 2002, she was recognized as the Correctional Education Association Teacher of the Year in South Dakota.
Lois was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. She was also active in philanthropy and social groups, including P.E.O., Wacky Widows (church friends), Pen Pals (former penitentiary employee friends), multiple bridge clubs, and her beloved Theta Ladies. Lois was also an avid reader and enjoyed time with her family, boating at Angostura Lake in the Black Hills, golfing and socializing at Arrowhead Country Club, traveling with Fred throughout the U.S., visiting Europe with her mother and sisters, and playing bridge.
Lois is survived by her sister, Eileen Rossow, Rapid City, SD; her children, Mike (Denise) Gellerman of Bonney Lake, WA, and their children, Sophia and Milo; Meg (Wayne) Bellefeuille of Lakeville, MN, and their children, Josh (Amaris Estrada), Erin (Michael) Fakler, Alicia (Dillon) Boelman, and Ross Bellefeuille; Dave Gellerman of Des Moines, IA and his daughter, Gabrielle Little (Mark Newberry); Steve (Kelly) Gellerman of Sioux Falls, SD, and their children, Ben, Katie, and Joey; and her great-grandchildren, Quinn, Freddy, Luke, and Clare Fakler.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her parents, Ben and Ruth Rossow; and her sisters, Margie Nelsen and infant sister Ellen.