Elvera A. Howell, 90, Sturgis, died Monday, October 27, 2008 at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Rosary services beginning at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 31, 2008 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Fr. Michel Mulloy officiating. Burial follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the St. Francis of Assisi Altar Society.

Elvera was born December 29, 1917 at Opal, SD, to Mathias and Anna (Backes) Moelter. She grew up in Opal and attended country school. She worked in Minnesota for relatives for one year before returning and working for several families in the Faith area.

Elvera married Ernest Howell at Little Rock, AR, on October 8, 1943. They returned to Faith where they owned and operated the Home Caf?. After moving to Sturgis, Elvera worked in food service at Fort Mead VA Hospital. They moved to Arkansas and back to Faith in 1976.

Elvera moved to Sturgis after her husband's death.

She was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Altar Society.

Survivors include her sister, Mathilda (Walter) Grueb, Faith; two nieces, Linda (Wayne) Lensegrav, Sturgis, Irma (Kevin) Fees, Hot Springs; nephews, Herbert (Marcia) Grueb, Black Hawk, Rodney (Tawana) Grueb, Onida, SD, Larry (Beth Ann) Grueb, Faith.

She was preceded in death by her parents Mathias and Anna, husband Ernest, two brothers, John and William; two sisters, Margaret and Gertrude.