Illa Kate Rott

Rock Rapids, Iowa Illa K. Rott, age 95, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of rural Ellsworth, MN died Friday, June 8, 2012 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, with Reverend Dale Lint officiating. Burial will follow in the Stateline Cemetery, rural Ellsworth, MN. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 12th from 2-8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Illa Kate Buus Rott was born in Rock County, Minnesota on January 1, 1917 to Henry and Ella Meester. She attended rural school and then went to Luverne High School, where she graduated in 1935. In 1939, she married Arthur Buus in Reno, NV. The couple lived in Westwood, CA and in 1949 moved back to the family farm in Rock County, MN. In 1977, Art passed away and she moved to Medford, Oregon. In 1991, Illa then married Adam Rott. In 2004, she moved to Waterford All Saints in Sioux Falls, SD where she was known for her seamstress abilities, quilting, bridge playing and taking charge of the craft room. Illa was a member of the Stateline Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher and organist for many years. She was also a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oregon, where she served as a Deacon for three years. Illa is survived by two daughters, Jean Koopman of Sioux Falls, SD and Ellen (Don) Richmond of Greely, CO; three grandsons, Arnie (Barb) Koopman of Harrisburg, SD, Ed Koopman of Sioux Falls, SD and Brian (Connie) Allen of Broomfield, CO; three great-grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Allen of Broomfield, CO, Jessica (Jarrod) Bakker of Harrisburg, SD and Patrick Koopman of Harrisburg, SD; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; one grandson, Bradley Allen; son-in-law, John Koopman, one sister, Pauline Lindstrom; and brother-in-law, Don Lindstrom.