Elizabeth Ann Griesse, the first-born child of Walter and Elizabeth (Betty Grotewold) Griesse, was born on December 15, 1937. She was raised on a farm in rural Rock Rapids, Iowa; attended country school; was an active 4-H member; and graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1956. Ann attended Augustana College in 1956 and Westmar College in Le Mars, IA, in 1957. She died July 28, 2026, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 88. After two years of college, Ann, as she was affectionately known, had a busy and diverse adult life.

Ann was a “housemother,” assisting the children and helping with dormitory maintenance at Crippled Children’s Hospital and School (LifeScape). She did clerical work at Sioux Valley Hospital (Sanford), Minnehaha County Treasures office, and Farmers Insurance in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ann also served as Records and ID registrar for the Rochester, Minnesota, police department, and as a draftsman and legal notation clerk for maps with the Bureau of Land Management in Fairbanks, AK, and Cheyenne, WY.

In 1970, Ann earned her Provisional Teaching Certification from Chadron State College, Chadron, NE. She lovingly taught at Sioux County, Nebraska, rural school #51, nurturing a classroom of six students at varied grade levels, and then taught for one year at Sioux County, Nebraska, rural school #68, where she guided one student. While teaching at rural school #68 with only one student, Ann also assisted and coordinated many school activities, including athletic events, drama, music, and multiple other educational events.

Ann assisted her brother, Alan, with starting his Line-up Shop in Rock Rapids, where she lent her basic drafting skills at DeWild, Grant, Reckert (D.G.R.) Associates in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Ann also served as an officer coordinator for non-profit organizations in Rock Rapids, and she also worked as a receptionist, a secretary, and a patient assistant at a Women’s Medical Clinic.

The Minnehaha County Library was Ann’s last workplace; she held a variety of positions within the library system, but her favorites were serving in the children’s department and on the bookmobile, where she enjoyed personal, direct contact with patrons, especially kids. She tenured with the library system for 30 years before she retired.

Ann was the eldest of four siblings, and this may have been the most influential factor in developing her most favored “job skills”: caring for, nurturing, and guiding children. Wherever Ann’s wandering took her, whether to a new location and friends, or returning “home” to family and old friends, her attention and instincts were immediately drawn to the youngest member of the gathering. From newborn babies to teens and, for many, into their mid-adult years, Ann’s observations, interactions, conversations, suggestions, etc. were always thought-filled and positive.

Our parents each had an active love of music; Ann was the most effective in embracing that musical inheritance. She played clarinet in high school concerts and the marching band. She was also an alto in chorus, took lessons (and practiced) on guitar and the accordion. Ann found joy in listening to a diverse range of music genres, from classical to pop/rock to country western, etc.

Perhaps the most enjoyable and rewarding confirmation of Ann’s musical “talents” occurred on a spring morning when our mother heard Ann, who was 4 or 5 years old at the time, whistling along with her dad as they walked across the farmyard to do the chores.

Ann will be remembered for her kindness, patience, and love for animals. She built cherished relationships during warm water therapy at Sanford Wellness, and her interactions with students and children remained a significant part of her life.

Ann will be missed by her siblings: her brother, Gerald (Kathy) Griesse, Harrison, NE; her sister, Evelyn Griesse, Sioux Falls; and her brother, Alan (Pat) Griesse, Sioux Falls. She is also survived by her cherished nieces, Marlena Griesse, Harrison, NE, and Jennifer Griesse-Oakes. Austin, TX; her nephew, Chris Griesse, Sioux Falls; her grand-niece, Elliot Oakes of Austin, TX; and her bonus nephew, Michael, and bonus niece, Mona. She will be remembered by her special cousins, Ilene Baker, Chugiak, AK, and Nancy Bunge, Granville, OH; and many other beloved cousins and their families. Ann will also be lovingly remembered by her Goddaughter, Nancy (nee Hass) Lind, and her great-godchildren, Amy and Steven, Lansing, IA.

Please join the family at a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 19th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Old Courthouse Museum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sioux Falls Humane Society, 3720 E. Benson Rd., Sioux Falls, SD 57104; the Siouxland Libraries, PO Box 7403, Sioux Falls, SD 57117; and Sioux Falls School District Nutrition Services - Angel Fund, 1101 N. Western Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.

Ann's family expresses their gratitude for the expertise, patience, and compassion shown by the medical staff at Sanford Hospital and the Oncology/Radiation Clinic, as well as the staff at Aveanna Home Health Care and Miller Funeral Home. For more information and to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.MillerFH.com.