Ellen L. (Speidel) Fiechtner, 94, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Prairie Heights Healthcare. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 8, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen with Rev. Paul Preus and Rev. Ryan Drevlow officiating. A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow the service. Interment will take place at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, in rural Monango, North Dakota.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, Aberdeen.

Ellen Louise Speidel was born in rural Dickey County, Hamburg Township, near Monango, North Dakota on May 31, 1931, to Albert and Eva Clara (Oster) Speidel. After growing up on her parents’ farm, Ellen married Arlan Paul Fiechtner on March 25, 1951, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Monango. Ellen joined Arlan on his family farm, also rural Monango, where they continued their farming and family life. Arlan and Ellen’s marriage was blessed with seven children, and they celebrated 66 years of marriage before Arlan’s death in 2017, after which Ellen moved to Aberdeen, SD, where she resided until her death.

Ellen (“Susie” to her friends) was unwavering in her faith, support and service to her church, family and community. She was a church organist and choir director at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Monango, for 40+ years and was an active member of their Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). Ellen’s love of and affinity for music led to countless opportunities to teach and direct both young and old alike, including the Christmas Eve church program and numerous other community celebrations. She was also involved in the Monango Community Betterment Association, with her focus on entertainment. Highlights for Ellen included the Monango Centennial (1986), and the annual Monango Fall Festival, where she hosted the large vegetable contest. She thoroughly enjoyed the many relationships and friendships she developed from these interactions.

Ellen was a loyal supporter and attendee of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities in music, sports, and academics. She attended many competitions, concerts, confirmations, graduations and reunions over the decades of a growing and maturing family. Ellen was a beloved mother who had boundless energy, patience and knowledge as she raised their large family while maintaining her “hired hand” status on a diversified farm. She avidly loved teaching her children how to harmonize and sing rounds while milking cows, how to raise and process productive gardens, how to nurture infant lambs and calves and above all, the importance of working well together, remaining prayerful and to keep smiling.

Ellen is survived by her seven children: Wayne (Janet) Fiechtner; Ardith (David) Petersen; Steven (Cindy) Fiechtner; Lois (Tobias) Rath; Debra (Alan) Kones; Jerome Fiechtner; Kristine (David) Eide.

Surviving Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren: Children of Wayne Fiechtner are Robb (Jenn) Fiechtner and children Daniel, Romeal and Lina; Carmia (Dan) Woolley and children Elliot and Annika. Children of Steve Fiechtner are Gina (TJ) Pytleski and daughter Mataya; Jessica Filler and son Jaden (Madison) Filler. Children of Lois Rath are Cory (Kelly) Rath and children Lily and Carver; Amy (Kevin) Dix and children Olivia and Ericka. Children of Debra Kones are Justin Kones and Angela Kones. Children of Jerome Fiechtner are Courtney Fiechtner, Claire (Ben) Renk and Colin Fiechtner.

Ellen was preceded in death by her husband, Arlan; parents Albert and Eva Clara Speidel; two brothers, Arnold Speidel and Luverne Speidel; and two sisters, Hildegard Nishek and Loretta (Joe) Veland.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is honored to serve the Fiechtner family. Friends and family may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s Facebook following the service.