RAPID CITY- Velma Agnes Ehli, 83, Rapid City died Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Agnes was born March 1, 1928 in Ogallala, Nebraska to Ralph and Velma (Southard) Smith. She grew up in Ogallala then moved to Lead, SD. Agnes graduated from Rapid City High School in 1944. After High School, she attended Western Union Telegraphy School in Minneapolis for two years and became a telegraph operator. Agnes married Wendline J. Ehli on October 21, 1946 at the Episcopal Church in Lead, South Dakota. They returned to Rapid City where she worked for Western Union. They started a family, and when the children were older, Agnes was employed at Nash Finch where she worked in advertising and clerical work. She retired after 20 years in 1975. For many years, Agnes was active with Emmanuel Episcopal Womens Group at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Rapid City. She enjoyed traveling; where she spent many winters in Texas, camping, and visiting with family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and planning large family gatherings for the holidays. Survivors include her husband, Wendline Ehli, and a daughter, Linda (James) Hayward, all of Rapid City; a son, William (Kathleen) Ehli, Danbury, Conn.;three foster children: Chuck (Starla) Bilek, Clinton, IA; Marilyn (Myles) Stomberg, Hugo, MN; and Cindy (Don) Pleau, Hugo, MN; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Elmer (Claudia) Smith, Rapid City; She was preceded in death by her parents, son Lee in 1968, brother Ralph Dale Smith, sister Roebetta Roth, and great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Mackie. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 20, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel Episcopal Church-ECW.