Eileen Myrtle Nelson was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota on July 9,1927 to Clarence and Laura (Bond) Nelson. She was the oldest of four children.

She attended grade school in Minnesota and then moved to South Dakota in 1942. She graduated from Philip High School in 1946. She was chosen as Homecoming Queen which she was very proud of.

On September 12, 1948 she married Thomas Fitzgerald. To this union four children were born, Greg, David, Dean and Carla. They made their home in Milesville for forty years. They moved to Pierre and then returned home to Philip in 2007 prior to Tom's passing.

Eileen was a housewife and was very active in her community. She was a member of the Hardingrove Presbyterian Church and was very active in 4-H, Milesville Women's Club, several bridge clubs, the Senior Center in Pierre and Philip and the United Church in Philip.

Eileen is survived by her children, David Fitzgerald of Philip, Dean Fitzgerald and his wife Janice of Long Valley, Carla DeLeon and her husband Michael of Rapid City; her daughter in-law, Bonnie Fitzgerald of Philip; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren, her brother: Arlie Nelson and wife Tari of Newcastle and sister-in-law Sharon Nelson of Bismarck.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her son, Greg; parents, Clarence and Laura Nelson; sister, Katy Drageset and brother, LeRoy Nelson.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, February 23, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at the United Church in Philip with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.

Private interment will be held at the Milesville Cemetery.

Everyone is welcome to the Milesville Hall at 2 p.m. for coffee, cookies and a time of fellowship.

Cards and memorials may be mailed to P.O. Box 64 Philip, SD 57567.