Judy J. Nissen, 77, of Elkton, SD, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Avera Flandreau Hospital, Flandreau, SD. She was born November 28, 1938 in Pipestone, MN to Elsworth and Esther (Pollock) Dagel. They lived in Pipestone until she was 10 years old and then moved to a farm six miles east of Pipestone. She attended two country schools and in 1951 her family moved to Conrad, MT. In 1953 they moved back to Pipestone and Judy graduated from Pipestone High School in 1956. While she attended school she was employed as a house cleaner, worked at Sidamins Cafe, "Dawg" House and NW Bell Telephone Company. Judy then worked full-time for the telephone company until her marriage to Vernon Nissen on April 4, 1958 in the Lutheran Church at Luverne, MN. They farmed in Springcreek Township, Moody County. Judy also worked at Eaton Dakota from 1986 – 1988 but when she developed asthma she had to quit. Her husband preceded her in death on September 12, 1999. She worked part-time for the Department of Equalization from 2000-2002. Judy was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, Flandreau, vice-president of Grace Circle, sang in the church choir and was currently serving as a Deacon. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, playing organ and accordion and playing cards. Judy gave organ lessons at the Pipestone Senior Citizens and had a great love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Judy is survived by four children, Jenean (Marlen) Van Otterloo, Ward; Jerry (Val) Nissen, Brookings; Joe (Jackie) Nissen, Elkton; Jeanette (George) Hale, Elkton; 14 grandchildren, Amy, Ashley, Jason, Brandi, Abby, Jason, Sarah, Atchley, Bracy, E.J., Marty, Leslie, Michael, Merrick; 16 great-grandchildren, Ava, Breely, Kylie, Wyatt, Rowden, Peyton, Kaylee, Bailee, Morgan, Kaden, Arianna, Nathan, Ethan, Micah, Silas, Jensen; and three brothers, Darwin (Sandy) Dagel, Holland, MN, Richard (Julie) Dagel, Omaha, NE, Mike Dagel, Little Falls, MN. Judy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers, Milo and Harold and one sister Helen.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2016 at Second Presbyterian Church in Flandreau with burial in the Elkton City Cemetery, Elkton, SD. Visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday with a 7 p.m. prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau.