Mary Elmina West, age 97, of Mitchell, SD, died November 6, 2004 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday November 10, 2004 at Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the Will Funeral Chapel. She was born November 4, 1907, to Harriet Evaline (Tichener) and Charles H. Koepp at Plattesville, Wisconsin. At age three, the family moved to Mitchell. She graduated from Mitchell Senior High School in 1925, after serving as secretary to the Clerk of the School Board on afternoons of her senior year. After graduations, she was appointed as full time secretary to the principal of the high school. On May 11, 1929, Elmina married Philip P. West of Mitchell in the First United Methodist Church. Elmina was employed by the National Life Benefit Insurance Company, which was later named National Life of America, for several years until the company was sold. She was soon asked to work for Mitchell Abstract where she worked for eight years until retirement. She had been active in the First United Methodist Church, having joined February 24, 1916. She was a charter member of Womens Society of Christian Service, taught Sunday School, served on Commission of Education and Evangelism and Mission Committee and assisted in counting church offerings for many years. She was also a member of Deborah Circle. Elmina was a PTA president, Brownie Scout leader and on the Girl Scout Council, a past member of Eastern Star, was a member and served in several offices in Wa-Tan-Ye Service Club, member of Friends of the Middle Border and the last charter member of Unique Study Club. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Marie Bruns and husband, Richard, Mitchell; two nephews, Donald P. Koepp, Phoenix, Arizona and Royal F. West, Lompoc, California; several great nieces and nephews and a special friend, Mrs. Dorothy Shannon, Mitchell. Elmina was preceded in death by her husband, July 18, 1991, her parents, a brother, George H. Koepp and a nephew, Robert W. Koepp. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church.