Elvera Lillian Carlyle, 91, Rapid City, died Friday, August 28, 2015 at Golden Livingcenter Meadowbrook. She was born in Soldier Township, Iowa on February 29, 1924 to Titus and Lillian Gloede. She grew up through the Great Depression on a 160 acre farm in rural Iowa. Elvera desperately wanted a high school education. She left the farm at 14 years old, received a ride from a mail carrier to Denison, Iowa. There she found a job taking care of a family home and children in exchange for room and board. She graduated in the Class of 1942 along with her first and only love, Jack Carlyle. That year, Would War II took center stage. Before Elvera would leave with Jack to basic training, she insisted on their marriage. They eloped to Missouri, got married and both entered the world conflict together. After the war, they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where Jack attended the University of Omaha for his business degree and Elvera worked in the record department of Brandise. In 1950 after the birth of their first son, Keith, they moved back to Denison where Jack and his brother Tom took over the family business “Carlyle Memorials”. Elvera performed bookkeeping at the business, worked at Montgomery Ward department store and later Anthony’s Fashion Design. Elvera always had a busy schedule but it never interrupted or interfered with the highlight of her life; raising and loving her two adored sons. Jack and Ellie loved traveling. Some of their most memorable trips were to Hawaii and Mexico with their children and their families. For their 50th wedding anniversary, their sons surprised them with a 2 week vacation in Europe. After their first granddaughter was born in 1982, Jack and Elvera decided to semi-retire in Rapid City to be closer to family members. They took over the cafeteria operation at Western South Dakota Vocational Tech School. This is where mom received her nickname “Ellie” that she kept for the rest of her life. Jack passed away in June of 2009. Mom was a loving, kind, generous, caring and understanding woman. She was a devout Christian and an active member of her church. In the mid 1950’s she taught her children’s Sunday school along with her husband. She has been described by her second son Stephen to be the most wonderful human being that God put on the face of the earth. She deeply loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She lived a very full life and will be greatly missed. She is survived by her two children: Keith Carlyle of Rapid City, SD and Stephen Carlyle of Ft. Collins, CO and their wives Pam and Michelle. Her grandchildren: Trent, Justin, Amber, Kimbra, Shane, Dylan and Jordan. Great-Grandchildren: Jacob, Lewis, Jaydah, Emma Rae, Austyn, Avery, Cali and Rosalie.