Sarah R. Flesnerof Philip, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, November 7, 1989
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Sarah R. Ferguson was born September 1, 1924, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to Elwood and Audrey Lucile (Sears) Ferguson.
She grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing in 1945, and began her 43 year nursing and healthcare career.
In February of 1945 she married Gordon G. Flesner in Stillwater. To this union two children, Patricia and Gordon Jr. were born.
Her residence in South Dakota began with her marriage to Carson Flesner on November 30, 1957, in Rapid City, South Dakota. They resided in Philip where Sarah began her career with the Lutheran Hospitals and Homes Society as a nurse at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.
In 1964 she became the hospital administrator of that facility and was instrumental in building the Philip Nursing Home.
Sarah and Carson moved to Hot Springs, South Dakota, in 1973, where she was the Assistant Hospital Administrator and Nursing Home Director at Southern Hills General Hospital and Castle Manor Nursing Home. She recetly retired from this facility after 30 years of service in the Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society organization.
Sarah had other extensive assocations with the healthcare field in South Dakota, which included being a charter member of the South Dakota State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators. She was currently the secretary-treasurer of the board and recently appointed as its Executive Director. She was also a charter member and secretary of the National Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, past secretary of the South Dakota Health Care Assocation, Region II, and member of the Peer Review committee.
She was a charter member of the HEADS-CHEP health education consortium and she served as an advisor, consultant, and administrator for numerous Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society facilities.
Sarah was also a very active community member and was currently serving as member of the Southern Hills General Hospital and Castle Manor Nursing Home Auxiliary; Hot Springs Business and Professional Women; board member of the Miss South Dakota Pageant Board and Miss Fall River Pageant committee; a charter member of the Mueller Civic Center board; and a member of the Black Hills Chapter of the D.A.R.
Survivors include her husband, Carson, of Hot Springs; a daughter, Patirica (Mrs. Fred) Romkema of Spearfish, South Dakota; a son, Gordon Flesner Jr. of Milesville, South Dakota; eight grandchildren; a niece, Sherrie; and numerous other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Elwood Ferguson, Jr.
A memorial fund for a nursing scholarship has been established at Southern Hills General Hospital and Castle Manor Nursing Home. Memorial funds will be matched by the Lutheran Hospital and Homes Society.
First Memorial Service
Monday, November 13, 1989
11:00 a.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota
Officiating
Reverend Al Brucklacher
Music
Mildred Hosier - Pianist
Jan Hewitt - Vocalist
Ushers
Doug West - Jerry Roseth
Second Memorial Service
Tuesday, November 14, 1989
2:00 p.m.
Mueller Civic Center Theater
Hot Springs, South Dakota
Officiating
Reverend Peter Dahlberg
Tribute
Ron Cork
Music
Linda McKinstry - Pianist
Amy DeHeer - Vocalist
Ushers
Clay Lambeth - Don DeVries
Gary Schuh
First Memorial Service
Monday, November 13, 1989
11:00 a.m.
American Legion Hall in Philip