Stella was born March 4, 1923, to Jacob and Minnie Ochsner on the family ranch near Gopher, SD. Her early childhood was spent on the ranch with her three sisters and six brothers. Stella graduated from Isabel High School in 1941. Following High School graduation, Stella attended Northern State College from 1941-1943 and received a teaching certificate.

She met the love of her life, Paul (Hank) Taylor, at a dance in Isabel and they were married in September 1943. That same year, they moved to California where Hank was employed by the Los Angeles Police Department and Stella worked at the Naval Ship Yard in Long Beach. She held that position while Hank was in the U.S. Army until his discharge in 1947. The couple then moved back to South Dakota to the ranch north of Dupree. Stella taught country school for ten years. During that time in 1948 their son, Terry, was born and in 1950 their daughter, Cheryl, was born. In 1954, Hank was elected Ziebach County Sherriff and they moved into Dupree.

Stella was determined to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in education and attended summer school for several years at both Northern State in Aberdeen and USD in Vermillion. Education was a priority for Stella and she continued teaching at both the elementary and high school level until her retirement in 1984.

One of Stella's favorite pastimes was horse racing. Hank owned and trained several thoroughbreds along with their son, Terry. Stella, through luck or wisdom, or a combination of both, invariably came out a winner. In 1985, following retirement from their professions, Hank and Stella retired to their 10 acre ranch in Piedmont, SD. Hank passed away in 2008 and in 2010 Stella moved into Echo Ridge Lodge independent apartments. In August of 2016, Stella fell and broke her hip and following surgery was moved to Clarkson Health Care where she remained until her death.

Stella Arlene Taylor died Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at Clarkson Health Care in Rapid City.

Stella is survived by her son, Terry (Barb)Taylor, Rapid City; daughter, Cheryl Marx (Kent Benson), Hot Springs; one sister, Violet Rost, Lead, SD; two brothers, Clarence (Darlene) Ochsner, Salem, OR, and Alvin (Fran) Ochsner Filer, ID; one grandson, James (Amanda) Taylor; two granddaughters, Darci (Kenneth) Guise, Sedro Wooley, WA, and Tami (Aaron) Welsh, Rapid City; four great-grandchildren, Danae and Devon Taylor, Natalie and Nathan Napoli; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 5th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 6, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis with Rev. Denzel Nonhof officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

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