Eileen P. Huffman, age 72, of Ethan, SD died Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at Firesteel Healthcare Center where she had been a resident for the past 2 ½ years. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Friday, June 20, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial at Servicemen's Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel. Eileen (Hill) Huffman was born on September 17, 1941 to Emerson and Vesta (McManus) Hill rural Alexandria, SD. She grew up in Alexandria, SD and resided on a farm outside of Alexandria until the family moved into town while Eileen was in grade school. She graduated from Alexandria High School in 1959. She then worked at St. Joseph Hospital as a lab assistant prior to her marriage. Eileen was united in marriage with Harry Huffman on May 20, 1961 in Alexandria, SD. They lived and farmed outside of Ethan, SD for 50 years and there raised their five children. She spent most of those years raising and caring for her family, but later worked at the Best Western Motel and Avera Queen of Peace Hospital until her health forced her to stop working. Eileen was always very active in volunteer work. Her faith was also important to her as she held numerous offices in the Holy Trinity Altar Society and taught CCD classes for many years. Eileen was a dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 39 years where she held various offices. Eileen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in the spring of 1993 and lost the use of her legs as well as most of her sight due to the disease. She did not let that diminish her spirit or stop her from doing the things that she loved. Eileen was very active and attended many of her children's and grandchildren's activities, big or small. She was an avid fan of sports. She attended countless baseball, basketball and football games at all levels throughout the years. In 1996, Eileen and Harry were inducted into the State Amateur Basketball Hall of Fame for being such strong supporters. She enjoyed attending the Bridgewater-Emery-Ethan Seahawks football games and listening to the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on the radio. She was also a huge Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings fan. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband of 53 years, Harry Huffman, Ethan, SD; five children, Theresa (Randy) Maeschen, Mitchell, SD, Michele (Jeff) Bruntz, Mitchell, SD, Brad Huffman, Mitchell, SD, Jan (Chad) Gordon, Montrose, SD, Eric (Kristi) Huffman, Canistota, SD; 13 grandchildren, Nathan (Jen) Maeschen, William (Rachel) Maeschen, Kristin Maeschen, Rachel Bruntz, Justin Bruntz, Brandi Bormann, Stephanie Gordon, Alexander Gordon, Zachary Gordon, Ashley (James) Buggs, April Miles, Derek (Angela) Miles, and Lindsay Miles; four great grandsons, Preston, Lincoln, Landon and Emmett Maeschen; four sisters, Liz Stiefvater, Salem, SD, Mary (Jerry) Schneider, Sioux Falls, SD, Nancy (Bob) Peckenpaugh, Carthage, SD, and Fran (Bruce) Hill-Rowen, St. Cloud, MN ; a brother, Don (Jeanne) Hill, Yankton, SD; a brother-in-law, Jim Huffman, Hill City, SD; as well as many nieces and nephews. Eileen was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Huffman; her parents, Emerson and Vesta Hill; her mother and father-in-law, Glen and Lula Huffman, a brother-in-law, John Steifvater; and two sisters-in-laws, Dorothy Huffman and Colleen VanLitsenborgh.