MILLER, SD – Ella Mae Cotton, 87, of Miller, passed away surrounded by her children on Monday, January 5, 2026, at her home.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Miller. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 9, 2026, at the church. Burial will be at G.A.R. Cemetery in Miller, at a later date.

Ellie Cotton was born May 16, 1938, to Freelan Alexander and Orena Elizabeth (Hale) Testerman at home in Bates Township, along with her twin, Elbert (Duke) Ray. They joined siblings Allen, Russell, Marion, Philip, Donald, and Aloa.

The family lived in southern Hand County. Ellie went to Posey Country School and later attended St. Lawrence School, graduating in 1956 as valedictorian of her class. During her first year in high school, she met the love of her life, Richard Lowell Cotton. They were married on September 9, 1956, in St. Lawrence; the next year, the first of five little “Cottontails” joined them.

Ellie’s life was varied and full. Throughout her life, she focused on caring for those around her…not only Rich and the kids, but also parents, grandkids, in-laws, and a gaggle of cousins from both sides of the family. When those caring needs lessened, she broadened her horizons with a very successful career as the St. Lawrence postmaster. In service to the community in that role she was awarded regional Postmaster of the Year, enthusiastically traveled to conventions across the country, served on executive boards, and made sure that the St. Lawrence post office was the town’s beating heart. Ellie was also a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ, being called to several positions in the Church and helping to found the Miller Branch. She was also involved with the Church’s Young Women’s camping program and was extremely proud to be a certified wilderness camper. Ellie was a member of the Modern Matrons extension club, and later in life was a member of the Noon-time Regulars of Miller’s Main Street Lunch Box. Education was important to Ellie — she was an avid reader, and all five of her children are college graduates. Ellie was the life of the party, voted by her graduating class as “most popular,” “best dressed,” “best personality,” and “most courteous.”

Ellie adored her very large and diverse family. She knew names, birthdays, and current circumstances of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and everyone else on the family tree. She was also a huge fan of travel, be it to Russia, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, the Black Hills, or Huron…whatever the proposed destination, Ellie was always ready to pack a bag and head out.

Ellie is survived by her children Gregory Mark (Erick Wolfmeyer) Cotton, Tamara Lea (Ray) Caffee, Jodean LaRae (Shannon) Speck, Michele Lynne (Alan) Wieseler, and Clark Jeremy (Adrienne Zeller) Cotton; her fourteen grandchildren Naomi (Jon Isaac) Caffee, Vance (Jennie) Caffee, Jay (Tandra) Welk, Jennifer (Nathan) Thyen, Hannah Caffee, Olivia (Joshua) Randall, Evan (Shelby) Wieseler, Eleanor (Jon Salisbury) Cotton, Sylvia (Colin) Johnson, Elizabeth (Trent) Steptoe, Joseph (Erica) Wieseler, Ian Speck, Eric Speck, and Samuel Cotton. Great-grandchildren Paul, Marie, Joel and Sarah Randall; Nolan, Ivan, Logan, and Rhys Caffee; Ellie, Millie, and Asher Welk; Vaelynn Welk, Averi, Weston, and Clara Thyen; Miles and Mabel Steptoe; Leo and Rudy Wieseler; Ledger and Lowen Johnson; and Boone Wieseler; her siblings Philip (Phyllis) Testerman, and Aloa Carter; sisters-in-law Carolyn Testerman, Ardith (Gil) Bristlin, and brother-in-law Thomas (Donna) Cotton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ellie was preceded in death by Rich, her parents, and her siblings: Allen, Russell, Marion, Wilma Jean, Donald, and Duke.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Ella’s arrangements.

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