MITCHELL, S.D. — Ethel Bainbridge, age 83, of Mitchell, S.D., died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, at Bethany Lutheran Home in Brandon, S.D. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Will Funeral Chapel.
Ethel Mae Bainbridge, daughter of Herman and Pearl (Wittstruck) Uphoff, was born Jan. 12, 1930, in Mt. Vernon, S.D. She attended school in Ethan, graduated from Ethan High School, and attended summer school where she received her teacher’s degree.
Ethel was united in marriage with Gordon Bainbridge on June 2, 1949, in Mitchell, S.D. The couple farmed in the Ethan area until 1981 when they moved to Mitchell. Ethel moved to Bethany Meadows in Brandon, S.D., in November of 2007. She will always be remembered for her homemade bread and cinnamon rolls.
Ethel was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ethan and Mitchell. Ethel was a charter member of the American Legion Auxiliary No. 261 in Ethan where she held various offices including State President from 1984 to 1985 and North West National Vice President. She was also a member of 8 et 40, the VFW Auxiliary, and involved with Habitat for Humanity with Jimmy Carter. Ethel was the first female member of BPOE in Mitchell and was honored as Elk of the Year for 1998 to 1999.
Grateful for having shared her life are her five children, Lewis (Charlene) Bainbridge, Ethan, S.D., Ron (Janet) Bainbridge, Mitchell, S.D., Patricia (Loren) Ramse, Canton, S.D., Gary (Kimberly) Bainbridge, Great Bend, Kan., and Alan (Jennifer) Bainbridge, Mitchell, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four step-great grandchildren; a sister, Gladys Baldwin, Mitchell, S.D.; and a brother, John Uphoff, Yankton, S.D.
Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon Bainbridge on Jan. 11, 1995; a son, John Robert in 1957; three sisters Evelyn, Doris and Sylvia; and a step-granddaughter.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Will Funeral Chapel**
210 East Green Drive
Mitchell, SD 57301
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 13, 2013