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Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Bestgen Gray

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Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Bestgen Gray

Birth	:	31 Mar 1919 Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota, USA
Death	:	2 Jul 2017 Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Saint Aloysius Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate	:	44.4141340, -103.5193420
Description	:	Constance "Connie" Gray was born March 31, 1919, to John and Jessie (Dryer) Bestgen on the family farm north of Sturgis, SD. She passed into the next life on July 2, 2017, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center. The Valedictorian graduate, from St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis, went on to obtain her nursing degree from St. John's School of Nursing in Rapid City in 1943. While working as a nurse at St. John's Hospital, Connie met her future husband, Robert Gray, from Viewfield, SD. The couple married on October 17, 1945. To this union, six children were... Read More	Constance "Connie" Gray was born March 31, 1919, to John and Jessie (Dryer) Bestgen on the family farm north of Sturgis, SD. She passed into the next life on July 2, 2017, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care Center. The Valedictorian graduate, from St. Martin's Academy in Sturgis, went on to obtain her nursing degree from St. John's School of Nursing in Rapid City in 1943. While working as a nurse at St. John's Hospital, Connie met her future husband, Robert Gray, from Viewfield, SD. The couple married on October 17, 1945. To this union, six children were born: David, Charlie, Mary, Mark, Richard, and Anne. Connie was known to many as "Dr. Massa's Nurse," having worked for the well-known area physician for more than 30-years. She was passionate about her profession and witnessed the evolution of nursing from the World War II era, to modern times as a nurse through the 1980's. During that time, she helped deliver the first baby in the Sturgis Community hospital more than 50 years ago, and cared for hundreds of Meade County folks. She and Dr. Massa were truly pioneer caregivers, providing medical care in rural areas for nothing more than a loaf of bread or a chicken. Connie was instrumental in starting the Future Nurse's Club at the Sturgis High School and participated in the establishment of the Nurse Scholarship fund at the hospital. After her retirement in the early 80’s, she continued “service above self”, as she provided foot care for hundreds through the years at the Sturgis Senior Center; She was a member of St. Francis Circle and on various committees at her home parish of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church; volunteered at the Ft. Meade Museum and the Jolley Funeral Home, and was a member of Kiwanis. Connie and Robert loved to travel and enjoyed trips throughout the United States and beyond. One of their favorites was to the Holy Land in the early 70's. They both loved living at their ranch west of Sturgis, where they enjoyed the flowers, birds, and wildlife every day. Connie was an award winning and published cowboy poet and author of a book on Dr. L. L. Massa. She loved to play Scrabble, proving her extensive vocabulary was second only to her quick wit and delightful sense of humor. She is survived by son, Charlie Gray (Cindy), Sturgis; daughters, Mary Neugebauer (Joel), Rapid City, and Annie Valades (Vance), Colorado Springs, CO; daughters-in-law, Julie Gray (Dave), Hill City, and Chris Gray (Rich), Coeur d’Alene, ID; brother, Philip Bestgen, Whitewood, SD; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces and nephews; and many special friends including Dr. George and Ellen Jenter, Sturgis. Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; sons, David, Mark, and Richard; parents, John and Jessie Bestgen; brothers, Leo and Steve Bestgen; sisters, Justine Bruch, Vonnie Bogner, Patricia McDermott, and Betty Bestgen. Visitation will be held at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, at St. Martin's Chapel in Sturgis. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on July 6, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Memorials in Connie's name may be sent to the Kinkade Funeral Chapel and can be designated toward the restoration of the St. Martin's Chapel, the St. Aloysius Cemetery, or for the Nurse's Scholarship Fund at the Sturgis Community Health Center. https://www.kinkadefunerals.com/memorials/constance-gray/3653481/

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Bestgen Gray's memorial?
Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Bestgen Gray's memorial is located at: Saint Aloysius Cemetery, Sturgis, Meade County, USA.
When did Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Bestgen Gray death?
Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Bestgen Gray death on 2 Jul 2017 in Sturgis, Meade County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Constance Elizabeth “Connie” Bestgen Gray's memorial?
Latitude: 44.4141340
Longitude: -103.5193420

Family Members:

Parent

John Bestgen

(1888 - 1979)

Jessie C. Dryer Bestgen

(1890 - 1980)

Spouse

Robert G Gray

(1915 - 1991)

Siblings

Justine Margaret Bestgen Bruch

(1914 - 1992)

Veronica Philomene “Vonnie” Bestgen Bogner

(1921 - 1997)

Philip Neri Bestgen

(1923 - 2022)

Steven Bestgen

(1927 - 2016)

Patricia Marie Bestgen McDermott

(1930 - 2014)

Bette Ann Bestgen

(1934 - 2002)

Children

Mark Gray

(1952 - 1957)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Aloysius Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4141340, -103.5193420

2. Bear Butte Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4111595, -103.4947968

3. Fort Meade National Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4021988, -103.4757996

4. Curley Grimes Memorial Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3764500, -103.4691300

5. Black Hills National Cemetery
Sturgis, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3689003, -103.4753036

6. Crook City Cemetery
Crook City, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4432100, -103.6241500

7. Whitewood Cemetery
Whitewood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4617820, -103.6330030

8. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3891983, -103.6766968

9. Galena Cemetery
Galena, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3349220, -103.6438410

10. Anderson Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.4747009, -103.6896973

11. Saint Ambrose Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3821983, -103.7266998

12. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Deadwood, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3760986, -103.7253036

13. Pleasant Valley Cemetery
Tilford, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3192500, -103.3531160

14. Little Dane Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5252500, -103.6705540

15. Roubaix Cemetery
Roubaix, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2789380, -103.6656600

16. South Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3478510, -103.7606260

17. Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Saint Onge, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.5353000, -103.7237000

18. Piedmont Cemetery
Piedmont, Meade County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2425780, -103.3871730

19. West Lead Cemetery
Lead, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3484001, -103.7779999

20. Beals Cemetery
Vale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6185989, -103.4366989

21. Vale Cemetery
Vale, Butte County, USA
Coordinate: 44.6138992, -103.4052963

22. Terry Cemetery
Terry, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.3344290, -103.8165110

23. Nemo Cemetery
Nemo, Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.1872800, -103.5066410

24. Mountain Meadow Cemetery
Lawrence County, USA
Coordinate: 44.2038994, -103.6557999