Billie Felker

Billie Felker, age 95, of Madison, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 1st at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Madison with the Rev. Anthony Urban as the Celebrant. Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31st at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM and a Rosary to follow. Burial will be at the St. Thomas Cemetery.

Billie Jean Stephenson was born December 22, 1928 in Pierre, SD, the daughter of Milton and Margaret (Austin) Stephenson. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1947 and attended Radiation School at Minneapolis General Hospital. Billie worked as an X-Ray Technician until she became a Mom. Billie married Thomas Felker on October 16, 1954, and they have two children, Kathleen and Bob.

Billie, our beloved Mom and Grandma, was always there when we needed her, offering support, wisdom and love. She was a woman of faith with a spirit of gratitude, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and strength. She had a quick wit, a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful smile. Billie cherished spending time with her family, and she was a friend to many. She loved golfing, playing bridge and mahjong, reading, watching the birds at her bird feeder, and she loved her dogs. She and Dad were committed to supporting the Madison community. Billie was a member of P.E.O. and Catholic Daughters.

Billie is survived by her children, Kathleen Trandahl (Ed Hellewell) of Winner, SD and Bob Felker of Tea, SD; her grandsons, Nick (Louisa) Trandahl of Winchester, CA and Ryan Trandahl of San Diego, CA; her sisters Elizabeth “Betty” Stephenson of Sturgis, S.D. and Margaret “Peggy” (Raymond) Buselli of Suwanee, GA; her brother James Stephenson of Highlands Ranch, CO; and her sisters-in-law Mary (Herbert) deNourie of Omaha, NE; and Sheila Felker of Rapid City, SD, along with many nieces and nephews.

Billie is preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents, Milton and Margaret; her brother and sister-in-law J. Richard “Dick” and Jackie Stephenson; her sister-in-law Catherine “Kate” Stephenson, her brothers-in-law Robert and Dr. James Felker; and her sister-in-law Margaret “Maggie” Keehn.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Peaceful Pines (f/k/a The Heritage Senior Living) for the loving care they provided to Billie for nearly seven years. The family would also like to thank the Dougherty Hospice House for their kindness and compassion at the end of Billie’s life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the St. Thomas Aquinas School, 401 N. Van Eps Ave., Madison, SD 57042 or the St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 415 N. Van Eps Avenue, Madison, SD 57042.