Yvonne Ellis, 75, of Watertown, SD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown, SD.

Yvonne Kathryn Ellis was born on October 5, 1949, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to John Brateng and Elizabeth (Nielsen) Brateng. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith on October 30, 1949, and confirmed at St. Petri Lutheran Church in Grygla, MN.

She attended grade school in Grygla and graduated from Goodridge High School. Yvonne went on to earn her Associate of Arts degree from Northland Junior College.

On August 15, 1970, she married Tim Alan Hoaas, and later, on March 7, 1998, she married Raymond Ellis.

Yvonne dedicated her life to serving others with compassion and care. She worked as a nurse aide at the hospital in Thief River Falls and at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls. She later served as the office manager at Hartz Truck Line for 10 years. In 1997, she became the resident manager at H.P. Apartments, a role she held until her retirement. In 2003, she opened a café in Vesta, Minnesota, creating a warm and welcoming space for the community. She also worked as a unit coordinator at Marshall Hospital.

Yvonne had a deep love for the outdoors and simple joys. She enjoyed playing fastpitch softball, tending to her yard and flowers, gardening, canning, and freezing the fruits of her labor. She also loved reading, crocheting, and sewing. In her youth, she was an active member of the 4-H Club and the youth church group at St. Petri. Later in life, she was a proud member of the Commercial Club in Wabasso, Minnesota. Yvonne was so proud and was instrumental in raising her grandsons.

She is survived by her daughter, Liza Michelle (Chad Thomas) Marcotte; grandchildren, Zeke Ellis (Skylar Lynn) Johnson and Tanner Alan (Adrianna Kelly) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Luella Patricia Johnson, Asher Ellis Johnson, Boone Willis Johnson, Everly Mae Johnson, Jagger James Johnson, and Arabella Kathryn Johnson; siblings, Wendal (Doris) Brateng of New Hope, MN, and Shirley Nordby of Grygla, MN; along with many other beloved relatives and friends.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her parents; grandparents; brothers Vernon, Gordan, and Lyle Brateng; sisters Joyce Landsrud and Beverly Burris; and several nieces, nephews, and other cherished relatives.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 21, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN, with Pastor Brad Birtell officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at St. Petri Lutheran Church Cemetery, Grygla, MN.