Greta Giannonatti Nelson, 80, Sturgis, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2014, at Rapid City Hospice of the Hills.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00am on Friday, September 19, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis, with Pastor Jenene Earl officiating. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Greta was born at Buffalo, SD on January 6, 1934, the daughter of James and Eva Maney Giannonatti. She was raised in Buffalo on a ranch in the Slim Buttes. She attended schools at Buffalo, Newell, and Black Hills State College, working after that at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as a stenographer for the registrar.

In 1954, she married Donald C. Nelson at Newell, where they lived and raised their family. She worked at the Belle Fourche Irrigation District, the Newell Field Station and Fort Meade, retiring in 1992. Greta's favorite pastimes were spending time with family and friends, and reading. She loved being able to follow her grandchildren's activities and spend time with them.

Survivors include her daughter, Dawn Hill, her husband, Brent, and children, Matt (Katie) Hill, Bridgett Hill, and Whitney (Charlie) Baker and their children, Eliza and Addlyn; son, Gary and his wife, Linda, and their son, Ben Nelson; and one brother, Robert Giannonattti.

Greta is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; one brother, Keith; and one sister, Sharon Dawn.

A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Hills and may be sent to 224 Elk Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.

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