Erla Mae Ringer was born on December 15, 1924 on her family farm near Red Iron Lake to Rose (Tianella) and Carl Heitmann. Erla died on Wednesday, October 14 at Tekawitha Living Center, Sisseton, SD at the age of 90 years.
Erla married Ervin Ringer on June 26, 1947. Erla and Ervin had 2 girls, Janice and Lola. They spent their lives ranching, overlooking Sica Hollow. Ervin died in 1972. Upon Ervin's death, Erla and her girls continued to ranch. Lola died September 2014.
Erla was a 20 year member of the Hills and Valley Riding Club. Although she no longer rode horseback, she loved helping with events and socializing with the other members. Erla enjoyed crocheting and keeping newspaper clippings of the social happenings of everyone she knew, filling countless scrapbooks. She loved the holidays and decorated for all of them. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her honorary grandchildren, Wyatt and Morgan, and hearing about their activities and accomplishments. On August 26, 2015, failing health forced her to move to Tekawitha Living Center.
Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter, Janice; honorary daughter, Julie Nelson-Janisch and her family Paul (P.J.), Wyatt, and Morgan; sister, Carol Determan; and sister-in-law, Betty Heitmann.
Erla requested that there be no memorial service. Condolences may be directed to Janice Ringer, 11380 Co. Road 10, Sisseton, SD 57262.